The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has alerted regional disaster officers to step up preparation measures for severe tropical storm “Surigae,” which may enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) Thursday night, or today, Friday, as a typhoon with local name Bising.
NDRRMC issued the alert during its pre-disaster risk assessment meeting on Thursday to ensure the safety of villages and communities that may be affected by the storm.
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported that as of 10 a.m. on Thursday, the severe tropical storm was estimated to be at 1,095 kilometers east of Mindanao with maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness up to 115 km/h and is moving westward at 10 km/h.
The tropical storm remains less likely to affect the country, and has a low chance to make a landfall, the state weather bureau said.
However, state weather bureau explained that a westward shift is possible in the current forecast track and the storm may bring significant impacts in eastern portions of Southern Luzon and Visayas over the weekend until Monday. Moderate to heavy rains may be experienced over eastern portions of Visayas by Sunday.
Pagasa also noted that gale warning might be raised over southern portion of Southern Luzon and northern and eastern portions of Eastern Visayas by 5 a.m. on Saturday.
Regional disaster risk reduction and management councils also conducted their respective pre-disaster meetings in preparation for the weather disturbance in compliance with NDRRMC’s guidance.
The NDRRMC reminded the public to take precautionary measures and continue to monitor weather updates, and heed authorities’ warnings and advisories alongside observance of minimum health protocols against Covid-19.