Cebu now Signal  #1

CEBU, Philippines — Most areas in the Visayas including Cebu are now under public storm warning signal no.1 due to the tropical depression “Kabayan”.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced this yesterday in an 8 p.m. advisory, which placed Southern Leyte, Leyte, the southern portion of Samar (Basey, Santa Rita, Marabut, Talalora, Villareal, Pinabacdao), the southern portion of Eastern Samar (Maydolong, City of Borongan, Quinapondan, Guiuan, Lawaan, Balangiga, Llorente, Giporlos, Salcedo, Balangkayan, General Macarthur, Hernani, Mercedes), Cebu including Camotes Islands, Bantayan Islands, Bohol, and Siquijor under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1.

When declared, public storm warning signal # 1 means areas in the storm's path would experience a wind speed of around 50 kilometers per hour (km/h and that damage due to flooding caused by heavy rain is expected.

PAGASA's 8 p.m. advisory yesterday stated that the center of tropical depression Kabayan was estimated based on all available data at 290 km East Southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur (07.7 °N, 128.9 °E )

Following the said advisory, the Philippine Coast Guard in Cebu enforced a temporary suspension of voyages for all types of vessels and watercraft under their area of jurisdiction.

Coast Guard Station Western Bohol also suspended trips for all types of vessels and watercraft, as a "proactive measure in order to avert maritime accidents relative to prevailing weather and sea conditions in their area of responsibility".

“Voyage of vessels will resume upon improvement of weather and sea conditions in the above-mentioned areas. Vessels who intend to take shelter shall be permitted as long as it is manifested through a written request and no passenger be allowed onboard,” read its advisory.

Meanwhile, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)-7 also released a Geohazard Threat Advisory in accordance with its "Pre-disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) conducted last Dec. 15, 2023 at 2:30 p.m.

MGB convened the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Office of Civil Defense-7, and various national government agencies in the Visayas for the said purpose.

“The LPA (Kabayan) may cause rains beginning Sunday and has a chance of developing into a cyclone. The Northeast Monsoon or Amihan is affecting parts of Luzon, while the Easterlies are affecting the rest of the country,” read MGB's statement posted on its Facebook page.

The MGB also advised the public to regularly monitor PAGASA's weather bulletin to stay updated on sudden weather changes.

“And when necessary, initiate pre-emptive actions for potential landslide/flood occurrence in your area to avert any untoward incident,” it added.

Furthermore, MGB-7 also advised that in the event of “torrential rains", residents of those identified as high susceptibility areas should immediately evacuate away from the vicinity of potential landslide areas.

This recommendation, particularly applies to those living near rivers and at the foot of the slopes of mountains, as rivers could overflow or that mountains could get saturated due to incessant rains and result in a landslide.

“Constant communication and updates with your Barangay Officials on the geohazard situation are likewise encouraged,” MGB-7 said. — (FREEMAN)