DILG orders preemptive evacuation of residents affected by tsunami advisory

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) ordered Wednesday the preemptive evacuation of residents living in the coastal areas affected by the tsunami advisory issued after a powerful earthquake struck Russia’s eastern Kamchatka Peninsula. 

The DILG instructed all local chief executives in the affected areas to evacuate communities whose houses are located very near the shoreline, and establish and strictly implement critical preparedness measures for the tsunami advisory. 

It also directed the activation of their respective emergency operation centers and incident management teams as well as the immediate establishment of evacuation routes, directional signs, and safety zones for at-risk communities. 

“All concerned DILG Regional Directors must ensure that LGUs within their jurisdiction are adequately prepared for this threat. Close coordination with respective RDRRMCs is required to facilitate the immediate and widespread dissemination of this advisory.''

The Presidential Communications Office urged the public to stay vigilant and monitor government advisories. 

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) earlier warned that coastal areas on the eastern side of the country fronting the Pacific Ocean were expected to experience a tsunami of less than one meter.

State seismologists said the first tsunami waves may arrive between 1:20 p.m. and 2:40 p.m., July 30. They said it may not be the largest, and the waves may continue for hours.

PHIVOLCS advised the public to be alert for unusual waves and stay away from the beach and not go to the coast of the following provinces until the cancellation of the advisory: 

• Batanes Group of Islands
• Cagayan
• Isabela
• Aurora
• Quezon
• Camarines Norte
• Camarines Sur
• Albay
• Sorsogon
• Catanduanes
• Northern Samar
• Eastern Samar
• Leyte
• Southern Leyte
• Dinagat Islands
• Surigao del Norte
• Surigao del Sur
• Davao del Norte
• Davao Oriental
• Davap Occidental
• Davao del Sur
• Davao de Oro

PCG districts on red alert

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) placed its districts on alert.

“In response to this advisory, all PCG Districts were advised to be on alert status, conduct information dissemination and coordinate with local government units, particularly in coastal areas, to ensure alertness and take precautionary measure,” said PCG spokesperson Noemie Guirao-Cayabyab. — with Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ/VBL, GMA Integrated News