Residents warned vs rains, floods, slides

Saturday, February 11, 2012

A LOW pressure area (LPA) was sighted off the coast of Southern Mindanao, promising occasionally heavy rains that may trigger floods and landslides.

As this developed, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) directed local government units to undertake precautionary measures "and monitor the situation."

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Marylin Flores, weather observer of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) in Davao City, told Sun.Star Davao Friday afternoon that aside from the tail-end of the cold front that caused ensuing rain for the past few days, an LPA was sighted by the bureau early Friday morning.

Flores said as of Friday afternoon, the LPA was spotted at a distance of 780 kilometers east of southern Mindanao.

"Bisag layo pa na sya, naa namay cloud formation so magdala jud na siya ug pag-ulan (Even if it is still far, it started a cloud formation so this might bring heavy downpour)," Flores said.

Should the LPA maintains its strength and energy, the weather disturbance might last at least three days or longer.

Flores said that with the prevailing weather disturbance, particularly affecting Davao Region, small sea vessels are advised to avoid sailing.

But Flores said the chance of the LPA to develop into a more severe weather depression is still slim.

Meanwhile, Benito Ramos, executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), has alerted all local disaster response units to be always alert against calamities.

"In order to better inform/warn communities, you are reminded to disseminate these through local/community leader and through your local media, including community radio stations. Conduct press briefings as often as needed. This local effort will complement and reinforce efforts at the national level. Emphasis should be on proactive actions -- evacuation rather than rescue," Ramos said in an advisory.

All local emergency response unit chiefs are also required to submit prompt reports on actions taken, gearing toward achieving zero casualties. (Jereco O. Paloma)