‘Kabayan’ threatens EV
TACLOBAN CITY– Local government units across the region are on full alert amid the threat of tropical storm ‘Kabayan.’
In Southern Leyte, Governor Damian Mercado directed all the mayors and the people themselves to be on alert considering that a rainfall warning spawned by Kabayan is projected to hit the province.
“We urge everyone to take precautionary measures now that we are on the Red warning level. Continue to monitor information from authorities and be ready to follow instructions,” he said on his social media account post.
The governor told his people to prepare flashlights, batteries, kerosene lamps, or candles in anticipation of a possible power outage.
“Elevate household things in case of flooding,” Mercado said.
In Baybay City, Mayor Jose Carlos Cari directed the personnel from the city disaster risk reduction management office to monitor water levels in major waterways in the city for possible flooding incidents.
The mayor likewise ordered to monitor of barangays in the city considered as prone to flooding and landslide.
In the cities of Ormoc and Maasin, work and classes were suspended by Mayor Lucy Torres Gomez and Mayor Nacional Mercado amid possible heavy rains spawned by Kabayan.
The Office of Civil Defense in the region also alerted residents particularly those who are living in low-lying and mountainous areas to regularly monitor the weather situation for possible flooding and landslide incidents due to heavy rains.
Meantime, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in the region has activated the deployable response group (DRG) amid heavy rainfall expected in areas to be affected by the tropical depression.
Travel of small sea crafts and vessels of less than 250 gross tonnage was also stopped in the region due to the storm.
Trips going and out of the region like the Cebu to Calbayog City, Samar trip, Cebu-Ormoc, and Liloan, Southern Leyte to Surigao.
About 454 passengers were stranded at various ports, notably at Liloan, Southern Leyte, the Coast Guard said.
Local government units with island tourist destinations have issued travel advisories temporarily closing the islands as precautionary measures in anticipation of the possible effect of Kabayan.
Among these LGUs that issued the advisories for tourists not to visit during this time of weather disturbance were Matalom for Canigao Island, Hindang and Inopacan for Cuatro Islas, Palompon for Kalanggaman, all in Leyte province.
Also suspending travel to their island destination is Maripipi town in Biliran province for Sambawan Island.
Aside from Kabayan, the shear line and northeast monsoon may also bring heavy rainfall in some parts of Luzon and Visayas that are not part of the warning signal.
JOEY A. GABIETA/ ROEL T. AMAZONA
