Concerned agencies will meet today for Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) in preparation for the impact of typhoon “Mangkhut” that is expected to hit the country tomorrow, September 12.
In a phone interview yesterday, Regional Director Jose Roberto R. Nuñez said Western Visayas might experience heavy rains and underscored that there is no room for complacency because of the climate change.
The PDRA is venue for members to have an inventory of the equipment available in case they are needed, available resources and identify areas to be affected, among others.
The members of the PDRA include the Office of the Civil Defense, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Science and Technology, National Economic and Development Authority, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Philippine Ports Authority, Bureau of Fire Protection, Armed Forces of the Philippines, City and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Offices, Philippine Red Cross, National Telecommunications Commission, and the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Service Administration.
Nuñez added that during the PDRA, they would also determine offices that will be tasked to man the operations center.
As early as Monday, he said a memorandum has been sent to local disaster risk reduction and management offices to prepare their first responders, who should be on alert 24 hours and if needed they should assess those prone to landslide and evacuate those that will be affected.
Aside from landslide, he said another hazard that should be considered is flooding.
PAGASA reported that as of 10 a.m. yesterday, the eye of Typhoon “Mangkhut” (international name) based on all available data was located at 2,440 km east of southern Luzon, which is still outside of the Philippine Area of Responsibility. It has a sustained winds of up to 140 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 170 kph. (PNA)