Albay Governor Al Francis Bichara (File photo)
LEGAZPI CITY – Local disaster councils in Albay were activated on Tuesday as it braces for possible flooding, lahar flows in low-lying areas, and landslides in mountain slopes due to a low pressure area (LPA) spotted 375 kilometers east of Legazpi City.
Albay Gov. Al Francis Bichara issued a provincial disaster advisory directing all 15 towns and three city disaster councils to be on high alert as the LPA would trigger moderate to heavy rains.
Cedric Daep, Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO) chief, in an interview said the cold front and the northeast monsoon will bring moderate to heavy rains once it breaks the rainfall threshold and might cause floods, lahar, and landslide.
Daep said the wind and coastal condition would also trigger moderate to strong northeast wind producing a moderate to rough (1.2 to 4 meters high) coastal water, endangering small sea craft sailing at sea.
Sailing is now prohibited due to the rough seas prevailing at the eastern flank of the province.
Residents living in coastal villages in the eastern seaboard were warned of possible strong waves hitting the shores.
Local disaster councils were asked to implement disaster mitigating measures and initiate pre-emptive evacuation once the weather condition worsens. (PNA)
