Rainy weekend ahead as ‘Opong’ moves toward Bicol Region
Some government agencies have started preparing for Severe Tropical Storm “Opong” (international name: Bualoi) which is expected to make landfall in the Bicol Region on Friday, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
As of 3 p.m. on Thursday, Opong was located around 245 kilometers east of Guluan, Eastern Samar. It was moving westward at 15 kilometers per hour (kph), with maximum sustained winds of 110 kph and gusts of up to 135 kph.
The Department of Health (DOH) said it has placed on alert health emergency response teams in Western and Eastern Visayas.
It has also procured doxycycline which is used to treat leptospirosis and other bacterial infections, as well as oral rehydration salts, and medication for cough, colds and fever.
The Department of Energy, for its part, advised energy stakeholders to strengthen typhoon preparedness such as assessing power lines and other energy assets that may be affected by natural hazards.
Regular advisories
Task Force on Energy Resilience chair Felix Wiliam Fuentebella said it is important “to reinforce power lines in high-risk areas, enabling them to better withstand the impact of storms and minimize service disruptions.”
The Department of Transportation (DOTr), meanwhile, directed Port Management Offices (PMOs) of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to be ready for the effects of the cyclone and the southwest monsoon or “habagat” which may strengthen over the weekend.
The PPA was ordered to regularly relay information from PMOs regarding canceled trips, stranded passengers, rolling cargoes and ships, weather and sea conditions, and port status.
In the National Capital Region, the Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, together with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) assured the public that the region is “fully prepared” for Opong.
In a statement, the MMDA said it has activated its emergency operations center to monitor the on-ground situation while it will also be deploying 380 personnel to provide timely assistance to residents.
Stormy weather
Pagasa said Opong is forecast to cause “stormy” weather conditions in the following areas from Thursday to Friday afternoon: Northern and Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Romblon and Masbate (more than 200 millimeters of rainfall); and Quezon and Marinduque (100 to 200 mm of rainfall).
Rains with gusty winds along with 100 to 200 mm of rainfall will be felt in Batangas, Camarines Sur and Norte, Catanduanes, Albay, Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, Aklan, Capiz and Leyte.
As for Metro Manila, Aurora, Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, Cebu, Bohol, Southern Leyte, Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte, Pagasa estimated the amount of rainfall at 50 to 100 mm. —WITH A REPORT FROM GILLIAN VILLANUEVA
