MONITORING. Local officials monitor the water level of a river in San Nicolas, Pangasinan on Friday (July 14, 2023) as the town has been placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 due to Tropical Depression Dodong. The Office of the Civil Defense has raised blue alert status in the entire Ilocos Region. (Photo courtesy of San Nicolas, Pangasinan My Home, My Pride Facebook page)
MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – The Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) raised the blue alert status in the entire Ilocos Region starting Friday morning in preparation for the possible effects of Tropical Depression Dodong.
“The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council member agencies and local disaster risk reduction and management councils are hereby requested to submit their preparedness measures,” OCD regional director Gregory Cayetano said in a statement.
Cayetano said member agencies are encouraged to undertake and implement science and evidence-based decisions within their area of responsibility and closely monitor tropical cyclone bulletins, warnings, and other advisories issued by the weather bureau.
“Prepare critical services and facilities and increase capabilities for logistic requirements and conduct resource inventory and stockpiling,” he said.
Cayetano also asked the member agencies to ensure no sailing or fishing or swimming activities in areas with gale warnings or other related issuances.
The Pangasinan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), together with concerned national government agencies, has already conducted a pre-disaster assessment to review all necessary protocols and corresponding preparedness measures and response activities.
The barangay councils in the province were asked to activate their barangay response teams while the province’s emergency vehicles, trucks, and water search and rescue teams are also ready on standby if ever there will be a need for preemptive evacuation, according to the Pangasinan PDRRMO.
Dodong maintains its strength as it moves north northwestern ward over the northwestern Cagayan area with maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (km/h) near the center and gustiness of up to 75 km/h.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal number 1 was raised in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and the northern portion of Pangasinan.
Heavy rainfall is expected in the region hence, flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible. (PNA)
