PAGASA issues ‘orange’

advisory for the Western Visayas
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) yesterday issued an “Orange” advisory for the Western Visayas in response to Tropical Depression “Marilyn” entering the Philippine area of responsibility. Under an orange rainfall advisory, rainfall is anticipated to accumulate between 15 mm and 30 mm within one hour with flooding considered a “definite threat.”
Based on PAGASA’s forecast, Marilyn was last spotted 1,355 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts up to 70 kph.
PAGASA has not issued a tropical cyclone warning as of press time but they reported the storm is presently enhancing the southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” which is expected to bring rain to the western section of the country, including Western Visayas.
The weather bureau reported, under present conditions, the Western Visayas will likely experience moderate to occasional heavy rains.
PAGASA also advised local disaster risk reduction management offices (DRRMO) in Negros Occidental to monitor the Malogo, Sicaba, Grande, Himocaan, Danao, Upper Tyabanan, Sipalay, and Lower Ilog rivers and tributaries.
DRRMOs were also advised to warn people living near mountainous and low-lying areas of possible landslides and flash flooding.
Meanwhile, as of press time, sea trips between Iloilo and Negros Occidental remained normal throughout the day despite poor weather conditions. However, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said they will immediately stop all vessels below 250 gross tonnage from leaving port if PAGASA issued a gale warning in the region.
The PCG also advised travelers heading for Iloilo to monitor the weather to avoid any inconveniences./DGB, WDJ