(File photo)
MANILA – Local disaster units and residents in areas where Tropical Storm Rai, to be named Odette once it enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), is expected to tear through this week are told to prepare for its impact.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Monday night it is coordinating with regional counterparts on preparations for the storm that may hit the country Thursday.
"Sa isinagawang pagpupulong ngayong araw, tinalakay ang iba't ibang paghahanda sa mga apektadong lugar upang masiguro ang kaligtasan ng mga residente at agarang mga aksyon sa epekto ng bagyo (On the meeting we had earlier (with other NDRRMC member agencies), preparedness measures of the areas that might be affected by 'Odette’ were discussed as to ensure the safety of residents and possible actions that could be done once the tropical storm hits the country)," the agency said.
People residing in the path of the storm are advised to take precautions and comply with safety warnings issued by the authorities.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, in its latest forecast Tuesday, said the tropical storm is expected to make landfall by Thursday afternoon or evening over the Eastern Visayas-Caraga regions.
Rai was last tracked 1,380 kilometers east of Mindanao. It is expected to enter PAR Tuesday night and is forecast to reach the typhoon category by Wednesday.
It is expected to pass through Visayas, Mindanao, and several provinces in Southern Luzon. (PNA)
