The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (PDRRMOs) of Pangasinan and La Union are maintaining heightened alert levels to monitor and prepare for the potential impacts of super typhoon Inday, which entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Wednesday morning.

Both offices have convened their respective council agency members for pre-disaster risk assessment meetings.

Pangasinan PDRRMO emergency operations head Pia Flores said council members were convened to review preparedness measures for various offices and agencies concerned with disaster risk reduction.

"Aside from that, we also issued several memoranda for the involvement of various disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) committees in tree pruning and drainage declogging in preparation," she said.

She mentioned that despite the office remaining at code white, personnel at the Emergency Operations Center are on standby, with heightened monitoring in place for a possible increase in alert level.

"So, we will continue to monitor the development of the super typhoon here in the office. Also, if there is an advisory on rainfall and thunderstorms, we will immediately disseminate it to the public, our partners, and stakeholders so that our communities will be informed," she said.

Flores asked the public to get information only from credible sources like Facebook pages of their local DRRM offices and local and national government offices.

"We also encourage them to plan with their family members and prepare their go-bags (emergency bags)," she said.

Flores added that an advisory has been issued to coastal communities, warning fishermen—particularly those who stay at sea for five to seven days—that Inday will strengthen the southwest monsoon and cause strong to gale-force gusts in the coastal waters.

Meanwhile, the La Union PDRRMO confirmed that response teams, law enforcement agencies, and sea- and land-based assets are prepared for immediate deployment if needed.

Food packs, hygiene kits, and other emergency supplies have been prepositioned.

The La Union Police Provincial Office has placed personnel on alert and coordination with Coast Guard La Union continues to ensure public safety and strengthen inter-agency preparedness.

The provincial government urged local government units to remain vigilant and prepared to protect residents.

While Inday would not directly affect the two provinces, it would enhance the southwest monsoon, which is forecast to bring heavy rainfall that might cause flooding in low-lying areas and strong winds in some parts of these provinces.

People in Cagayan and Isabela were advised to remain vigilant as tropical cyclone wind signal No. 1 was raised over parts of Cagayan and Isabela due to Inday.

Emergency supplies such as food packs, hygiene kits, and other response resources have been prepositioned for immediate deployment if needed. (With PNA)