CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Local authorities have urged residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas in this city to be vigilant against the effects of super typhoon “Mawar” (international name).
AN aerial view of an area in Cagayan de Oro City. (Franck Dick Rosete)
Although the island of Mindanao is said to be not directly affected by the super typhoon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that monsoon rains brought by southwest monsoon can still expected in some parts of Mindanao, especially in the regions of Zamboanga Peninsula and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Nick Jabagat, head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department, advised the residents, especially the barangay officials of low-lying and flood-prone areas, to be on high alert for advisories and critical information that would concern them.
"I hope they will cooperate and listen to the things that need to be done, especially in this kind of situation," Jabagat said in a phone interview with the Manila Bulletin on Thursday, May 25.
Jabagat said his office will immediately conduct a pre-disaster assessment just in case there are changes in the typhoon’s direction.
In the assessment, the barangays that might be affected will be identified so that the CDRRMD can determine other necessary support needed for the affected villages.
Among the areas here that are closely being monitored by the CDRRMD are the barangays from Gusa to Bugo in the eastern part, and the barangays beside the Cagayan de Oro River, which include Balulang to Bonbon and Macasandig to Macabalan, as well as Iponan and Canitoan.
The CDRRMD also prepared its rescue teams, as it also monitors other neighboring towns in order to provide immediate assistance.
For the past few days, this city has experienced heavy rainfall due to localized thunderstorms. However, the CDRRMD said they haven’t tallied any residents who have been evacuated.
As of posting time, Mawar is still outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility, and it is forecast to enter the PAR on Friday night, May 26, or Saturday morning, May 27. Once it enters PAR, it will be called “Betty.”