"Egay" leaves Visayas, but rains to continue

CEBU, Philippines - Tropical depression “Egay” continues to move northwest at 17 kilometers per hour away from Visayas and Mindanao but the government’s weather bureau said Egay is enhancing the southwest monsoon, causing more rains that may trigger flashfloods and landslides.

Egay is the fifth tropical cyclone to enter the country this year and the second weather disturbance this month.

Storm warning signal no. 1 over Catanduanes and Northern and Eastern Samar as of 5 p.m. yesterday.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pag-asa) warns residents near rivers and sloping areas to be vigilant and to evacuate immediately if there are signs of earth movements or huge rise in water level.

Weather Forecaster Ella Comahig said that rains in Cebu and the rest of the Visayas and Mindanao regions are caused by the southwest monsoon enhanced by the tropical depression.

There’s a forecast of a scattered to widespread rains in the next few days so the public is advised to be prepared all the time by bringing umbrellas and other items for rain protection.

Comahig, however, assured that the volume of rain has not exceeded the normal level despite the enhancement of the southwest monsoon.

Yesterday’s rainfall measure did not exceed 20 millimeters. Authorities say rains measuring 100 mm is the level above normal.

Comahig said the rainy season has officially arrived and tropical depressions are expected because of the transition period.

      Tropical depressions entering the country are most likely to hit Luzon during this season because the southwest monsoon moves towards that direction.

But she said from October to March during the period of northwest monsoon, tropical depressions are likely to hit the Visayas and Mindanao.

As of 5 p.m. yesterday, Egay is spotted 130 km Northeast of Virac, Catanduanes with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center.

Egay is expected to be at 90 km North Northeast of Casiguran, Aurora and 170 km West of Basco Batanes tomorrow.

PAGASA issued public storm signal no. 1 in the provinces of Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Polillo Island, Aurora, Quezon Province, Cagayan, Isabela and Northern Samar.

In areas with a storm signal, ships weighing 1000 gross tonnage and below are not allowed to sail.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) yesterday called on its field units to strive for zero casualties.

In a memorandum, NDRRMC executive director Benito Ramos called on disaster management officials to closely monitor the situation in their respective areas and to issue warnings through the media.

“Emphasis should be on proactive actions and evacuation rather than rescue. Let us untiringly aim for zero casualties,” Ramos said.

He also cited the need to draft precautionary plans and to coordinate with community leaders.

The NDRRMC official also ordered provincial disaster management councils to initiate preemptive evacuation of families in low-lying and mountainous areas if needed.   - (THE FREEMAN)