NDRRMC on red alert for TD Paeng

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) is on red alert status for Tropical Depression Paeng.

At a press briefing, NDRRMC deputy spokesperson Raffy Alejandro said most Regional Risk-Reduction Management Councils (RDRRMCs) will be on red alert status starting Thursday.

“Naka-red alert na tayo for Paeng (We are on red alert already), so by tomorrow most of our regional offices or regional DRRMCs will be on red alert status starting tomorrow,” Alejandro said.

“Kasi the [Tropical Depression] mararanasan na natin ang epekto starting Friday and then onwards to Monday hanggang lumabas siya hanggang Tuesday,” he added.

(We will experience the effects of the Tropical Depression starting Friday and then onwards to Monday until it exits on Tuesday.

Alejandro added the NDRRMC alerted local government units (LGUs) especially in Ilocos, Cagayan, and Cordillera considering that these areas were also affected by previous tropical cyclones Maymay, Neneng, and Obet, as well as the magnitude 6.4 earthquake in Abra on Tuesday.

He added that the NDRRMC would also take into account the incoming long Undas holiday weekend that many people are expected to visit provinces in its preparation for possible disasters.

Under red alert, Alejandro said the NDRRMC will closely coordinate with LGUs, issue regular advisories, check response units, and assess availability of relief goods.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, state weather bureau PAGASA said Paeng is expected to become a typhoon this weekend, with wind signals issued over some areas beginning Thursday.

Paeng would intensify into a tropical storm on Thursday and “further intensification is likely while moving over the Philippine Sea and may reach typhoon category on Saturday,” according to PAGASA.

PAGASA said it has not ruled out the possibility of Paeng making landfall in northern Luzon. — RSJ, GMA News