简体中文
By APD writer Melo M. Acuña
MANILA, Nov. 30 (APD) – Typhoon “Kammuri” has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility a little over an hour ago. It has been named “Tisoy” and the 20th tropical cyclone for the year and the fourth for the month of November.
It is expected to hit the Bicol region in Southern Luzon and other areas in Eastern Visayas as national officials under the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) met shortly before midday today to assess the potential damage as the tropical cyclone has maximum sustained winds of 150 kms/hr. They said there is a possibility it will further gain strength to about 185 kms/hr. from one to three days. It has slowed down and now moves at 15 kilometers per hour in the general direction of the Bicol region.
In a statement released late Saturday afternoon, NDRRMC said there lies a possibility of raising at least Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 where residents will expect strong gales and winds that may uproot trees, topple electric power posts and severely damage homes of light materials. Storm surges may also occur.
Meanwhile, Science and Technology Undersecretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr. said heavy and sustained rains may trigger landslides as he cautioned village residents to be extra careful.
Speaking at Outdoor Talk @ Café Lupe, Undersecretary Solidum said there is a need for local government officials to look into the locations of both government and private buildings and schools as these areas may be susceptible to natural disasters.
“We already have an application, a locally-made application which we launched earlier and is called hazard hunger under the Department of Science and Technology where potential hazards will be identified to mitigate disaster impact,” he added.
The tropical cyclone may affect the schedule of field games in the 30th Southeast Asian Games where events are conducted in Southern Tagalog, Metro Manila and Central Luzon regions. The ten ASEAN-member countries and Timor Leste in attendance.
President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to declare the games open at 7:00 P.M., Saturday at privately-owned Philippine Arena which seats some 55,000 people.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
