Tropical Depression Ada spares Cebu amid ongoing trash slide operations

Tropical Depression Ada will not affect Cebu, where search and rescue operations are ongoing following the trash slide at the landfill in Barangay Binaliw, state weather bureau PAGASA said Wednesday.

"Base sa latest track and forecast rainfall, scattered na ulan lang at thunderstorms. Hindi yung nagdudulot ng matinding baha at pagguho ng lupa," said PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja in a press briefing.

(Based on the latest track and forecast rainfall, there will be scattered rains and thunderstorms in the area. It will not cause floods and landslides.)

The latest number of fatalities in the landslide reached 18, according to the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO). The CDRRMO said 18 people are still missing while 18 sustained injuries as of 11:30 a.m.

PAGASA said its forecast did not include Cebu among the areas that will be affected in the next three days.

"So far within the next three days, hindi kasama ang Cebu sa ating weather advisory, Maliit ang chance na mag-exceed ng 50 millimeters ang dami ng ulan sa Cebu except of course sa mga thunderstorms," Estareja said.

(So far, within the next three days, Cebu is not included in our weather advisory. There is a small chance the rainfall in the area will exceed 50 millimeters, except, of course, during thunderstorms.)

"Posible pa rin siya within the next three days pero hindi katulad ng pag-ulan na nanggagaling sa Bagyong Ada," he said.

(Thunderstorms are possible within the next three days, but it will not be similar to the amount of rainfall that TD Ada might bring.)

Since January 8, search and rescue operations have been conducted following a landslide at the landfill site.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Central Visayas has issued a cease-and-desist order against Prime Integrated Waste Solutions, Inc. (PWS), the operator of the landfill.

Prime Waste Solutions Cebu earlier said it is “working closely with relevant government agencies and the local government to provide the necessary assistance and support to all those affected by the incident.”

The operator said the facility’s operations have been suspended. 

Prime Waste Solutions Cebu assured that it will provide updates and share information once available.

“The safety and well-being of our employees, contractors, and neighboring communities remain our top priority,” it said. –NB, GMA Integrated News