7,000 residents in Dinagat Islands preemptively evacuated due to Tino

Some 7,000 residents in coastal areas of Dinagat Islands were preemptively evacuated as part of the province's preparations for Typhoon Tino (international name: Kalmaegi), Dinagat Islands Governor Nilo Demerey Jr. told Unang Balita on Monday.

Demerey said 87 out of the 100 barangays in the province are in coastal areas.

"Kami'y nagdarasal pero nag-preemptive evacuation na (We are praying but we already did preemptive evacuation)," he said.

At 8 a.m. Monday, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 was hoisted by PAGASA over the southeastern portion of Eastern Samar (Guiuan, Mercedes); and Dinagat Islands and Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands.

Demerey said classes in all levels, both public and private schools throughout the province were already suspended.

Likewise, work in government and private offices has been suspended, except in hospitals, rescue units, police, and frontline services.

On Monday early morning, it is not yet rainy at Dinagat Islands, Demerey said. The waves are also not big yet in the sea.

However, they are expecting that the weather condition would change at midday or in the afternoon.

According to PAGASA'S heavy rainfall outlook issued at 11 a.m. Monday, Dinagat Islands, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, and Leyte will have more than 200 mm of rainfall from Monday until Tuesday noon.

Sea trips to and from Dinagat Islands have already been suspended since Sunday, the governor said.

Demerey said Tino's track seems to be the same as that of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in 2013.

"Halos parehas pero hindi ganu'n kalakas (It is almost the same but not as strong)," he said.

Demerey said he already asked the national government for assistance, particularly in deploying personnel and air assets from the Armed Forces of the Philippines in case they would be needed.

The province also already asked for additional food packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development. 

Based on projection, around 65 barangays would be affected by Tino, Demerey said. —KG, GMA Integrated News