MAYOR Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has called on residents, particularly those residing along riverbanks, coastal and low-lying areas, to prepare for possible impact of Severe Tropical Storm Odette.
Salazar's call came as "Odette," with international name Rai, was expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) Tuesday night (December 14).
Salazar has directed all Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (BDRRMCs) to closely monitor the situation in their respective areas of jurisdiction for impending hazards that may be caused by the weather disturbance, though Zamboanga City will not be directly hit.
She also ordered the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMO) to do the necessary coordination with all agencies concerned on disaster response.
Odette will make a landfall in the vicinity of Caraga and Eastern Visayas by Thursday, December 16, based on the forecast of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
The state weather bureau said that large portions of Mindanao will also be affected by the weather disturbance. (SunStar Zamboanga)