CH gets ready for rainy days

WITH the widespread rains expected this week, residents in areas vulnerable to floods and landslides need to be vigilant, said Cebu City’s Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (LDRRMC).

“There’s a low-pressure area, so we cannot let our guard down. We need to watch out, especially since rains these days are heavier and last longer because of climate change,” said Alvin Santillana of the LDRRMC.

Widespread rains may come in the next three days in Cebu due to a low-pressure area the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) detected east of Mindanao.

“The low-pressure area is 870 kilometers east of Mindanao. The area in Davao will experience heavy rains, but in Cebu widespread rains may also be experienced,” said Pagasa weather observer Kelly Torregosa.

Santillana said residents whose houses sit near rivers and creeks should immediately seek safer places during heavy rains.

On the other hand, those whose live in steep areas should vacate their houses and go to elevated areas, as the rain may cause ground movements and landslides, he added.

Barangays in the city that are prone to landslides are Lusaran, Binaliw, Guba, Budlaan, Malubog, Buot-Taup, Busay, Sirao, Taptap, Tagbao, Tabunan, Pung-ol Sibugay, Sudlon II, Sudlon I, Sinsin, Buhisan, Pamutan, Sapangdaku, and Adlaon.

Areas that are more prone to flooding are Barangays Kasambagan, Kinasang-an, Labangon, Mabolo, and Bonbon.

Pagasa’s Torregosa said that if the rain continues this week, the hottest temperature that Cebu might have will only be up to 30 degrees Celsius.

He clarified that their radar did not detect a typhoon, but that one may develop if the low-pressure area lingers for more than three days.

As of 2 p.m. yesterday, the temperature only reached up to 29 degrees. Last April, the temperature reached 33.2 degrees, the hottest day in Cebu so far this year.

The rainy season usually starts in June and goes on until September, Alice Canasa, Pagasa weather specialist, explained earlier.

The weather bureau has ruled out the possibility of the low-pressure area developing into a tropical cyclone.

“Based on forecast models, it will no longer turn into a tropical depression. It will remain a low-pressure area,” said Pagasa Administrator Nathaniel Servando.

Still, the weather disturbance will bring rains in eastern part of Visayas and Mindanao.

Pagasa also advised the owners of fishing boats and small sea craft not to venture out into the sea, as a strong gale force wind is expected to affect the western seaboard of Luzon. Larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves.

The Philippines has been visited by four storms since January. Tropical Storm Dindo (international name: Doksuri) flooded some villages in the Ilocos region and Bukidnon and damaged some roads and bridges.

No fatality was recorded. (With Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)