There is a continuing threat of flashfloods and landslides in Eastern and Southern Mindanao as weather officials predict continuous rainy weather in the region.
According to the latest update as of 5 a.m. (January 3) of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), “widespread rains over Eastern and Southern Mindanao may trigger flashfloods and landslides.”
Meanwhile, Eastern Visayas and Mindanao will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms. The rest of Visayas will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.
Northern and Eastern Luzon will be mostly cloudy with light rains while the rest of Luzon will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with light rains.
Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over Luzon and Visayas and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be moderate to occasionally strong coming from the Northeast and East with moderate to occasionally rough seas.
The NDRRMC said it has directed Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (RDRRMCs) through the Office of Civil Defense Regional Centers to “undertake precautionary measures in their respective areas of responsibility and subsequently advise local disaster officers to initiate preemptive evacuation of families in low-lying and mountainous areas if situation warrants.”
The NDRRMC said that last January 2, a motorized boat with four passengers, capsized while cruising between Sibato Island and Semirara, Antique. A joint team from the Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard and the local government of Caluya were able to rescue all the passengers. Victims Joel Autillo, 34, Vicmar de la Cruz, 34, Junmar de la Cruz, 25 and Victoria Escultor, 54, were brought to Barangay Sibato, Caluya, Antique and given first aid.
