Brace for Tropical Storm Surigae, NDRRMC tells disaster councils

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Wednesday instructed its regional counterparts to start preparations for the possible effects Tropical Storm Surigae.

State weather bureau PAGASA said the weather disturbance may intensify into a severe tropical storm over the next 24 hours, and is forecasted to enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) as "Bising" on Friday. 

In a memorandum, NDRRMC ordered the officials of regional disaster risk reduction and management councils, Office of Civil Defense regional offices, and local DRRM councils to communicate with concerned residents.

They should conduct risk communication activities, disseminate warnings and advisories to communities at risk, make inventory of resources for response, and preposition assets and rescue teams.

Pre-disaster risk assessment meetings among officials should be initiated.  The NDRRMC also directed them to activate their respective emergency operations center.

“The public is also reminded to take precautionary measures in anticipation of the possible effects of the storm alongside the observance of minimum public health standards against COVID-19,” it added.

In its 11 a.m. advisory, state weather bureau PAGASA said Tropical Storm "Surigae" may intensify into a severe tropical storm over the next 24 hours.

PAGASA said Surigae may reach the typhoon category by Friday.

As of 10 a.m., the center of the tropical storm was estimated at 1,205 kilometers east of Mindanao. It has maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometer per hour near the center and gustiness up to 90 km/h.—LDF, GMA News