Northern Samar prepares for rains from Typhoon Bising

The provincial government of Northern Samar is preparing for moderate rain showers this Saturday afternoon from Typhoon Bising.

In a Super Radyo dzBB interview, Josh Echano, head of the Northern Samar Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), said they were already experiencing intermittent rain showers in the province on Friday night.

“Mamaya po magsisimula ‘yung light rains na pwede tumungo sa modeate na paglakas ng ulan dahil alam naman natin na medyo malakas itong bagyo na ito”(We anticipate light to moderate rains coming in the afternoon because the typhoon is strong), he said.

Echano mentioned the towns of Lapinig, Palapag, Mapanas, and Laoang as the areas that will be mostly affected by the typhoon as these are located near the Pacific Ocean.

The provincial government has already suspended sea travel to and from Northern Samar.

Echano also said that they can maximize their infrastructures for their evacuation. These are not used as isolation facilities as Northern Samar has low number of COVID-19 cases recorded.

Further, the provincial government has sufficient funds for their response with P85 million in the PDRRMO and P30 million from the province’s Quick Response Fund, he said. 

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 is hoisted over Northern Samar and 13 other areas in the Eastern Visayas region.

The warning signal was issued as Typhoon Bising continues to rapidly intensify while moving on its west-northwest direction over the Philippine Sea, according to the Severe Weather Bulletin posted by PAGASA early Saturday morning. —LBG, GMA News