Cagayan PDRRMO preps for TD ‘Obet’ onslaught

The Cagayan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management assured that all assets and other necessary assistance are on standby in preparation for the onslaught of the tropical depression "Obet" in the province.

Cagayan PDRRMO chief Ruelie Rapsing said that the provincial assets and personnel were already deployed while the assisting national line agencies and uniformed personnel have readied necessary equipment and supplies needed during the calamity.

"We already advised preemptive evacuation. We are already done with the pre-disaster risk assessment along with the Office of Civil Defense, we already asked the support and assistance from the regional offices of [Department of the Interior and Local Government] on its List of Protocols so that local chief executives will be guided in deciding the preemptive evacuations," Rapsing said, in Filipino, during an interview over the state-run PTV show Laging Handa on Thursday.

Rapsing said several towns in the province have already declared a state of calamity in their respective areas so that they can use 30 percent of the DRRM fund during emergencies.

The Cagayan Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, he added, has enough stockpiles in the warehouses to aid the possible affected residents.

"Somehow, we're in for a long haul. After this Obet we have monitored a low-pressure area, so we're preparing for the worst," Rapsing said.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration reported that the tropical depression maintained its strength while moving westward.

'Obet' will bring moderate to heavy with at times intense rains possible over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Apayao, and the northern portions of Ilocos Norte and mainland Cagayan on beginning Friday through Saturday.

While light to moderate at times heavy rains will possibly prevail in the northern portion of Ilocos Sur, Abra, Kalinga, and the rest of Ilocos Norte and mainland Cagayan.

PAGASA flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible in high-risk areas. However, prior to the arrival of tropical cyclone rainfall, the shear line may also bring heavy rains over Cagayan and Isabela on Friday.

Strong winds are expected in areas placed under Wind Signal 1. PAGASA said the highest possible wind signal that may be hoisted during the passage of 'Obet' will be Wind Signal 2.

PAGASA warned the combined effects of the surge of northeasterly surface wind flow and the approaching tropical cyclone may also bring moderate to rough seas over the seaboards of Central Luzon of 1.5 meters to 3.5 m, and the western and eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon ranging to 1.2 to 3 m.

'Obet' is forecast to traverse west-southwestward by Friday morning while accelerating before turning westward towards Luzon Strait.

The center of the tropical cyclone may traverse the Babuyan Islands-Batanes area between Friday evening and Saturday morning.

'Obet' is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday evening or Sunday morning.