Catanduanes prepares for Ramil's expected landfall

The province of Catanduanes has made preparations ahead of Tropical Storm Ramil's expected landfall on Saturday.

"Kahapon pa, nakatapos na ng pre-disaster risk assessment 'yung kanya-kanyang munisipyo. Kami rin po ...para sa buong probinsiya," Catanduanes Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office-Operations and Warning Section chief Roberto Monterola said in an interview on Dobol B TV.

(Yesterday, the municipal governments finished their pre-disaster risk assessment. We did too, for the entire province.)

"May mga heavy equipment na rin na naka-preposition dito sa kapitolyo para sakaling may clearing operations," he said.

(Heavy equipment were already prepositioned here at the Capitol for ready deployment should there be clearing operations.)

Monterola said as of Saturday morning, no pre-emptive evacuations have been conducted yet. However, the municipal local government units and the provincial government are ready to evacuate those who may be affected by the coming storm.

"Malamang yung maliliit na bahay sa tabing ilog at tabing dagat ang ie-evacuate natin," he said.

(Most probably, the residents in small houses beside rivers or the sea will be the ones we will evacuate.)

As for sea trips, travel has already been suspended since Friday. Likewise, fishing is not allowed, Monterola added.

State weather bureau PAGASA said in its 8 a.m. bulletin that Ramil is expected to make landfall or pass close to Catanduanes on Saturday afternoon or evening. It may make landfall over Aurora or Isabela on Sunday before traversing the rugged terrain of Northern and Central Luzon. 

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 was hoisted at 8 a.m. over Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, and the northern portion of Camarines Sur (Tinambac, Siruma, Goa, San Jose, Lagonoy, Garchitorena, Caramoan, Presentacion); and Polillo Islands.

Monterola said the areas facing the Pacific Ocean may be affected by Ramil. These are:

• Bato
• Baras
• Gigmoto
• Virac

"Ang panawagan natin, malakas man (ang bagyo) o hindi, ganu'n pa rin. 'Yung mga nasa delikadong lugar, kung puwede, lumikas na tayo," he urged.

(Our appeal to the public is that, whether the storm is strong or not, it remains the same. Those in areas prone to disaster should evacuate if possible.)

"'Yung mga nasa gilid ng baybayin, i-assess natin kung medyo tumaas 'yung dagat natin, magkaroon ng daluyong. 'Yun ang paghandaan natin. 'Yung puwedeng tamaan, magsilikas na po," he said.

(Those living beside the sea, let us assess if the sea level rises and a storm surge occurs. We are preparing for that. Those who may be affected should evacuate already.) —KG, GMA Integrated News