(File photo)
MANILA – Local government units in areas within the path of Severe Tropical Storm Rai (to be named Odette once it enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility) may order preemptive evacuations in preparation for an approaching strong typhoon that may hit the country Tuesday night.
In an assessment by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), over 10,000 barangays in the Visayas and Mindanao and some areas in Southern Luzon are likely to be affected once "Odette" makes landfall.
"Na-identify nga po natin ang mga areas na at risk kaya po pinaalahanan ang mga LGUs na bago pa dumating ang sama ng panahon at nakikita po ang imminent risk sa area, ay maaring pong magsagawa ng pre-emptive evacuation itong ating mga local government units (We have identified areas at risk and we reminded LGUs that they can conduct preemptive evacuations if they see imminent risks, even before the storm hits, in their respective areas)," NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Cashean Timbal said in a Laging Handa briefing Tuesday.
In a tropical cyclone advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said "Rai" has intensified as it nears the PAR. It was estimated at 1,165 kilometers east of Mindanao as of 10 a.m.
It has maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour kph) near the center and gusts of up to 115 kph. It is forecast to reach the typhoon category on Wednesday.
Residents and LGUs in Northern Luzon are also warned about the adverse weather effects caused by the shear line that might be enhanced by "Odette".
Due to the storm's possible strong impact, inter-island sea travel in the Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, and Caraga has been suspended to ensure that no one would be caught at sea by the storm and prevent stranding at the ports.
Timbal said the travel suspensions in these areas would remain until the storm warning has been lifted. (PNA)
