OVER 571 evacuation centers are ready across Eastern Visayas for the expected landfall of Tropical Depression “Usman” in the region Friday on evening, December 28.
In Tacloban alone, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reported that they prepared 71 evacuation centers and over 5,000 food packs for families who will be affected by the storm.
Tacloban City Mayor Cristina Romualdez suspended the work in government offices early Friday while Catbalogan City Mayor Stephany Tan suspended the work in the government offices at 1 p.m. on the same day.
In Ormoc City, Mayor Richard Gomez attended the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council fourth quarterly meeting.
As of 12 p.m. on December 28, the Philippine National Police regional office issued a situation report across Eastern Visayas in connection to the impending typhoon.
According to the report issued there are a total of 3,200 stranded passengers, 328 stranded vehicles, and 12 stranded ships.
There were no reported flooded areas and the bridges are still passable.
The electricity in the region is reported to be operational.
There are a total of 112 evacuees.
The number of search and rescue (SAR) personnel deployed are 120 and 1167 SAR personnel are on standby.
Tropical Depression Usman is expected to make its landfall in Eastern Samar Friday evening, December 28, or early morning of December 29, according to Pagasa.
With maximum winds of 55 kilometers per hour (km/h) and gustiness of up to 65 km/h.
Usman may still strengthen into a tropical storm before hitting land, it added.
Residents in the southern and eastern Luzon are also being put on alert for the risk of flooding.
Pagasa reported that moderate to heavy rains which may trigger flooding and landslides is expected over Visayas, Bicol Region, Mindoro Provinces, Marinduque, Romblon, and Quezon on Friday.
Meanwhile, moderate to heavy rains is also expected over Calabarzon, Aurora, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas and Central Visayas on December 29.
Residents of these areas, especially those living near river channels and in low-lying and mountainous areas, are advised to take appropriate measures, coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management offices, and continue monitoring for updates, said Pagasa.
Location of the eye or center of the topical depression as of 10 a.m. Friday was estimated based on all available data at 230 km East of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.
Usman is moving west northwest at 10 km/h. (SunStar Philippines)