Davao ready for typhoon
December 02, 2012 at 09:12pm
Davao is prepared for possible flooding and landslides as Typhoon "Bopha" moves closer to the Philippines, authorities said on Sunday, December 2. Emmanuel Jaldon, chief of Davao’s Central 911 and officer in charge of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, said all rescue units and volunteers are on full alert status as Bopha is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Sunday evening or early Monday morning.
Bopha will be officially called "Pablo" once it enters the country.
High-risk areas such as barangays Maa, Bucana and Matina, which are lying near the major rivers, have been provided with automatic response and alert systems like sirens, the official explained.
“For other barangays, they have installed improvised bells from metal cylinders to warn the community” and all identified vulnerable locations are being closely monitored, Jaldon said.
Resources mobilized
Inside the compound of the Public Safety Command Center, teams of rescuers with two dump trucks are prepared to evacuate citizens if necessary.
“We can easily mobilize additional trucks,” Jaldon added.
Rubber boats and 911 teams are also ready for action and can be deployed to any location in the largest city in Mindanao.
HIGH-RISK AREAS LOCATED. Rubber boats will be in charge of rescuing possible stranded residents. Photo by Karlos Manlupig
The local government reminded the public it will be using all platforms available for communications, including social media, and official Facebook and Twitter accounts will be sending out regular updates on the progress of Pablo.
“We are reminding the residents of Davao to stay alert and to constantly monitor the news. We also ask you to keep in touch with your local leaders for possible scenarios,” Jaldon said.
Evacuations centers like gymnasiums and other structures on higher ground have been identified and will be prepared to accommodate displaced residents.
Source: rappler.com
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