Typhoon ‘Tino’ barreling toward Iloilo

ILOILO CITY — The entire province of Iloilo may be placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4 by Tuesday as typhoon “Tino” (international name: Kalmaegi) continues to intensify while drawing closer to Panay Island, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned Monday.

According to Ferdinand Rubin of PAGASA Iloilo, the weather system is expected to bring torrential rains exceeding 200 millimeters within 24 hours, raising the risk of widespread flooding, flash floods and landslides, especially in low-lying and mountainous areas.

“Typhoon ‘Tino’ may bring torrential rains and violent winds as it nears Iloilo. We are advising residents to remain vigilant, monitor advisories, and heed evacuation orders when necessary,” Rubin said.

PAGASA also cautioned against storm surges up to three meters high that could threaten coastal towns, particularly in northern and eastern Iloilo and nearby provinces facing the Visayan Sea.

Defensor: Province on full alert

Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. assured that the Iloilo provincial government has activated its full disaster preparedness protocol through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

“We are ready to respond and assist municipalities that may be affected,” Defensor said, stressing the importance of tight coordination with local disaster councils and preemptive evacuations in flood-prone and coastal communities.

Local governments have begun identifying temporary shelters and stockpiling relief goods, while the Department of Social Welfare and Development has readied standby food packs for immediate deployment.