NDRRMC activates ‘high-risk’ emergency preparedness protocol for Amang

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Wednesday has activated its “high-risk” emergency preparedness protocol for the possible impact of Tropical Depression Amang.

In a statement, NDRRMC spokesperson Assistant Secretary Raffy Alejandro said their emergency preparedness protocol has been activated to Charlie Protocol.

The Charlie or high-risk protocol includes activating emergency operations centers to red alert, recommending class and work suspension, imposing preemptive and forced evacuations, among others.

Regional disaster management councils in Calabarzon, Bicol Region, and Eastern Visayas are also under the high-risk protocol.

Bravo or moderate risk protocol is effective in the National Capital Region, Cordillera, Ilocos, Cagayan, and Mimaropa.

Alpha or low-risk protocol is imposed in Caraga.

In its 8 a.m. report, the NDRRMC said 2,604 passengers, 479 rolling cargoes, 13 vessels, and 9 motobancas were stranded as 12 seaports were non-operational due to Amang.

A total of 150 classes have been suspended.

In its 2 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA said 11 areas in Luzon remain under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 as  Amang maintained its strength on Wednesday afternoon.

Amang was last spotted over the waters off Caramoan, Camarines Sur as of 1 p.m.

It was heading north-northwestward at 10 kilometers per hour while packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the center, gustiness of up to 55 km/h, and a central pressure of 1006 hPa. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News