Coastal towns warned of water level rise

CEBU, Philippines - With continuous rain the past few days, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) has advised residents near coastal areas and riverbanks to watch out for possible rise in water level.

PDRRMC Neil Sanchez urged local government units to take preemptive measures and monitor hazard-prone areas constantly.

“For the coastal municipalities, if mograbe na gani ang sitwasyon in their areas, they have to evacuate preemptively (Coastal communities should implement preemptive evaluation if the situation in their areas will worsen),” Sanchez said.

So far, PDRRMC has not received any report of disaster-related incidents caused by bad weather.

Meanwhile, Provincial Information head Ethel Natera said local government units and school principals may suspend classes when necessary if bad weather persists.

PDRRMC has set aside 70 percent of its P109-million budget for mitigation and disaster preparedness initiatives of the province. Sanchez said disaster risk reduction programs of local government units will also be augmented.

In the weather bulletin issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) at 4 p.m. yesterday, the low pressure area was seen 45 kilometer east of Dipolog City.

PAGASA said, the weather disturbance will bring cloudy skies with heavy rains and thunderstorm to Eastern and Central Visayas, which may trigger flashflood and landslides.  (FREEMAN)