AGUSAN DEL NORTE RAISES CODE BLUE STATUS DUE TO TS DANTE

Agusan del Norte raises Code Blue status due to TS

Dante By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) of the province of Agusan del Norte has raised a blue alert status as the entire province and the rest of Caraga Region experience heavy rains due to Tropical Storm Dante (Choi-wan).

This, as confirmed at 11:30am of Tuesday, June 1, 2021, by PDRRMO Research and Planning Development Chief Merry Chris Cabonce during an interview with PIA Caraga. Residents of Barangays Panaytayon and Humilog in the municipality of Remedios T. Romualdes (RTR) are now evacuating as well as over 60 families in Barangay Bayabas in Cabadbaran City due to flash floods. Fifteen others were reportedly also affected in Brgy. La Fraternidad in Tubay but the Municipal DRRMO is yet to verify.

“On-going pa kasi ang response actions na ginagawa ng mga municipal DRRM offices. We’re constantly coordinating with them ngayon for further updates on the said status,” Cabonce said.

Water levels have also declined in the national highway passing the municipality of Tubay in Brgy. Tagmamarkay, which was reportedly impassable as of 9:00am on Tuesday.

Close monitoring is still being made by local DRRMOs in affected areas.

Disaster response

Heavy rains have started pouring on the evening of Monday, May 31, prompting the operation centers of all 11 local government units in the province to activate by then and have begun their monitoring. Resources and relief goods have already been prepositioned in case of emergency.

On Tuesday, field monitoring on river tributaries is now being made with rising water levels being observed. Other LGUs that were not affected by heavy rainfall are also monitoring their area, especially those near the coast. convened virtually for continuous monitoring in light of the restrictions in mobility.

Cabonce said the PDRRMO has also prepositioned its resources to augment LGUs in need. Respective EOCs of all LGUs are on standby and can be contacted 24/7.

Despite all the preparations made by local authorities, the disaster response officer emphasized the need for the public to be vigilant and listen to local authorities.

“Magsubaybay sa mga paligid. Also, adhere to warnings coming from our local government officials. Kung mayroong mga preemptive evacuation, magparticipate po tayo. Regularly monitor updates from our social media accounts and those provided by radio stations kasi kahit hindi tayo directly affected ng bagyong ito, kailangang magmasid pa rin at maghanda para sa mga emergencies,” she said.

New updates will be provided by the PDRRMO at 5:00pm of Tuesday. (DMNR/ PIA-Caraga) May 29-June 4, 2021 | 37