Police forces have started implementing preemptive evacuation in coastal communities and other areas prone to landslides and flash flood amid serious threat from super typhoon “Ofel” which is expected to make a landfall near Cagayan Valley region on Thursday, Nov. 14.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said police forces in Northern Luzon were also instructed to continue monitoring the situation in their respective areas and to coordinate with local authorities for disaster response.
As of noon on Thursday, she said a total of 1563 families composed of 480 individuals were already evacuated.
“They were taken to the barangay halls and other evacuation centers. The monitoring will continue for more forced evacuation,” said Fajardo.
“Ofel” (international name: Usagi) maintained its strength as it nears Cagayan Valley, with landfall expected over Cagayan or Isabela on Thursday afternoon, Nov. 14, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said the center of “Ofel” was located over the coastal waters of Divilacan, Isabela, or 135 kilometers northeast of Echague, Isabela. It is moving west-northwestward at 15 kilometers per hour (kph) while packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kph near its center and gusts reaching 230 kph.
Fajardo said almost 5,000 policemen were already deployed to assist in disaster response, the concentration is on Cagayan Valley Region and Central Luzon.
Aside from those that were already deployed, she said around 3,500 more policemen are on standby for emergency deployment.
Based on the PNP data, around 8,890 families composed of 30,089 individuals were already evacuated in Cagayan Valley region and nearby areas.
Here comes ‘Pepito’
As “Ofel” threatens northern Luzon, tropical storm “Pepito” is expected to enter the country’s area of responsibility by Thursday night and is expected to make landfall in the Bicol and Visayas areas by next week.
As precautionary measures, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) advised motorists and commuters to exercise caution when travelling to and from Bicol region.
LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Vigor D. Mendoza II said they are in constant coordination with the Office of Civil Defense in relation to the government's intervention to ensure public safety due to the expected entry of another weather disturbance.
“There were already initial agreements with the Office of Civil Defense based on our coordination and part of it is to regularly update the public on the threat of this new weather disturbance,” said Mendoza.
The LTO has already issued an advisory on Thursday in connection with unsafe travel to and from Bicol.
In the advisory issued by the LTO, all travelers were advised to exercise caution when travelling due to the possibility of adverse effects of typhoon “Pepito” in areas along its path.
In the same advisory, it discouraged non-essential travels from Metro Manila and nearby areas to Bicol Region and travel to and from the Visayas and Mindanao regions via Matnog Port, Matnog, Sorsogon starting 6 p.m. on Thursday.
“The LTO will closely monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary. Motorists and passengers are urged to prioritize safety and stay informed through official weather reports and government advisories,” the LTO advisory read.