THE Office of Civil Defense in Davao region (OCD-11) raised their alert status to “Blue” in preparation for Tropical Depression (TD) Samuel.
OCD-11 Operations Officer Franz Irag said that the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRMMC 11) operation center raised the “Blue” alert status and issued a memorandum on Monday, November 19.
Based on the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pag-asa) Tropical Cyclone Warning issued as of 2 a.m. on November 20, Tropical Depression Samuel has maintained its strength as it moves towards the Dinagat-Samar-Leyte Area.
The state weather bureau warned of moderate to heavy rains which may trigger flooding and landslides over the Caraga region, Northern Mindanao, Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas and the provinces of Negros Occidental, Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley.
Davao region was also forecast to experience cloudy to very cloudy skies with intermittent light rain showers in some parts of the region particularly ComVal, Davao Oriental and Davao del Norte due to TD Samuel.
Irag said that as of 4 p.m. Tuesday, November 20, all river systems in the region were in normal status and no untoward incidents have been monitored so far.
He added that as part of their preparations, RDRRMC 11 issued a memorandum in the conduct of Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment Emergency Preparedness for Response (PDRA-EPR) Meeting in relation to the tropical depression.
They also conducted 2nd Pre Disaster Risk Assessment-Emergency Preparedness Response (PDRA-EPR) Meeting with NDRRMC on November 19 and issued a memorandum to all RDRRMC 11 response agencies to render 24 hour service at OCD-RDRMMC 11 operation center.
They also directed them to continuously disseminate weather updates and advisories to all LDRRMCs through email, telefax and social media.
“Pahimangno namo pirmi sa tanan nga magbinantayon sa palibot lalo na sa mga naa nagpuyo sa flooding and landslide prone areas. Coordinate pirmi sa ato mga Local DRRMCs and BDRRMCs para mabal.an nila kung unsay mga abiso sa ato mga Local DRRMCs labi na qng naa ipatigayon na pre. emptive evacuation ug mangandam sila kanunay sa ginatawag na Go Bag or Emergency Bag (I advised the public to be alert always of their surroundings especially those who are living in flood and landslide prone areas and coordinate with the LDRRMC and BDRRMC for any weather advisories),” he said.
He allayed apprehensions, saying TD Samuel will not directly hit Davao region.
Asked whether there is an upcoming typhoon that may hit the region similar to Typhoon Vinta last year, he said they were monitoring a low pressure area outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility that might enter PAR this week based on the satellite monitoring.
There is, however, a minimal chance that will make landfall.