MMDA on yellow alert over 'Nona'

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Tuesday afternoon went on yellow alert as typhoon Nona (international name: Melor) maintained its strength and speed as it made its fifth landfall over Mindoro late Tuesday morning.

MMDA chairman Emerson Carlos convened the Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and immediately began coordination with the various local government units (LGUs) of the metro.

“We have asked the different LGUs at national agencies kung anong preparations nila. Naka-standby na lahat. Based on their report ready na sila,” said Carlos.

Carlos said that under a yellow alert status, the MMDA will deploy its composite teams to identify flood-prone areas in the metro.

Carlos added that the MMDA has also asked the various LGUs in Metro Manila to order the securing of tower cranes atop buildings under construction as recommended by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

“Dapat i-secure or i-lock nila yung mga tower cranes in anticipation of strong winds. We are urging the LGUs through local chief executives to order their building officials. Pwede kasing bumagsak ang mga tower cranes sa high-rise buildings. We want to achieve a zero casualty rate for this storm,” said Carlos.

The storm made landfall over Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro and left millions without power after it toppled trees and cut electricity to at least seven provinces, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said.

"Nona" packed maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph, as it moved west at 15 kph.

Earlier, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said “Nona,” which made landfall over Romblon early Tuesday morning, is expected to weaken as it crosses the Mindoro landmass and interacts with cold winds bought by the northeast monsoon.

The storm is expected to exit Philippine area of responsibility by Friday as a low pressure area.

Public storm warning signal No. 3, meaning winds of 121 to 170 kph are expected in 18 hours, is up over the Calamian group of islands, Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro, including Lubang Island.

Signal No. 2 (61 to 120 kph in 24 hours) meanwhile is raised over Marinduque, Romblon and Batangas and Signal No. 1 (30 to 60kph in 36 hours) is over Metro Manila, Bataan, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Quezon, Burias Island, northern Palawan, including Cuyo Island, Aklan and Antique.

Rainfall within the 250-km diameter of “Nona” will be moderate to heavy, with flashfloods and landslides expected over the areas under Signal Nos. 2 and 3, and storm surges of up to two meters possible.