(Photo from PAGASA)
MANILA – Typhoon 'Surigae' (international name) with local name ‘Bising’ entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Friday at 6:20 a.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported during the Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment Meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
The typhoon is not expected to make landfall in any part of the country however it will bring heavy rains over Eastern Visayas and Bicol region on Sunday, the weather bureau said.
As of 10 a.m., ‘Bising’ was spotted 960 km. east of Surigao del Norte with maximum sustained winds of 130 km. per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness up to 160 kph and is moving west northwestward at 15 kph.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 may be raised over some localities in Northern Samar and Eastern Samar on Friday night and highest possible wind signal is TCWS No. 2 over some provinces of Bicol region and eastern portions of Eastern Visayas.
Mariners of small sea craft are also advised to take precautionary measures as ‘Bising’ will bring rough to very rough seas over eastern seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) identified 2,047 barangays susceptible to landslide and flood in the Bicol Region. Warnings and advisories are continuously being cascaded.
Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government said it has issued guidance to local government units for preparedness measures. LGUs to be affected are now on standby for possible evacuation.
Family food packs have been prepositioned for distribution should the need arise, the Department of Social Welfare and Development reported.
Land and sea travel are also now suspended in Bicol as ordered by the Department of Transportation.
Continuous monitoring of situation and coordination are being conducted by NDRRMC and its regional counterparts for ‘Bising.’
The NDRRMC issued new guidance to its member agencies for emergency and preparedness measures as well as to RDRRMCs of affected areas for updating of resource inventory and determination of gaps and needs to be requested to NDRRMC.
The public is again reminded to take precautionary measures, continue to monitor weather updates, and follow authorities' warnings while observing Covid-19 minimum public health standards. (PR)
