OCD 6 on red alert; OCD Caraga advises public not to be complacent vs. Auring

The Office of Civil Defense in Region 6 was placed on red alert in preparation for Tropical Storm Auring's onslaught, while the OCD in Caraga on Saturday advised the public not to be complacent as the storm approaches.

The OCD in Region 6 has made preparations for Auring (international name: Dujuan), and did pre-disaster risk assessment with lead agencies, Ivan Aguana of Super Radyo Iloilo said in a report on Super Radyo dzBB.

Disaster relief goods and quick response teams have already been prepositioned in strategic areas.

Local government units in places along Auring's expected track were also on alert for the storm's effects.

In Concepcion, Iloilo, areas identified to be flood prone are being monitored.

Since Friday, small sea vessels were not allowed to venture out to sea.

Concepcion Mayor Raul Banias also said the LGU is ready to implement preemptive evacuation.

#BantayBagyo: Office of Civil Defense Region 6, naka-red alert status na bilang paghahanda sa bagyong #AuringPH; Concepcion, Iloilo, puspusan na rin ang paghahanda para sa pagdaan ng bagyo. | via Ivan Aguana, Super Radyo Iloilo pic.twitter.com/rVHb3ub2su

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) February 20, 2021

Caraga

Meanwhile, in Caraga Region, residents were advised on Saturday not to be complacent even if Auring weakened from a severe tropical storm to a tropical storm on Friday, OCD Caraga Director Liza Mazo said on Super Radyo dzBB.

Dir. Mazo: Dapat hindi pa rin maging kampante kahit na humina ang bagyo dahil magdadala pa rin ng pag-ulan. https://t.co/Jl7zdrja0g

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) February 20, 2021

"Maraming lugar sa Caraga Region ang landslide prone areas. Dapat hindi pa rin maging kampante kahit na humina ang bagyo dahil magdadala pa rin ng pag-ulan," Mazo said.

"May ilang lugar na saturated na kaya kapag umulan ay posibleng bahain," she added.

Twenty-five areas in Visayas and Mindanao were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 on Saturday by PAGASA. The state weather bureau said heavy to intense rains may be experienced from Saturday to Sunday. Auring is expected to make landfall over Caraga on Sunday.

Mazo said the OCD continues to coordinate with PAGASA regarding Auring's track and possible effects.

She also appealed to residents who were preemptively evacuated to remain in evacuation centers for their safety, and to observe health protocols amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dir. Mazo: Pagsusuot ng face mask at physical distancing, dapat patuloy na ipatupad sa mga evacuation center. https://t.co/Jl7zdrja0g

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) February 20, 2021

—KG, GMA News