ILOILO City – The Iloilo City Government is stepping up disaster preparedness measures, placing its disaster response operations under Blue Alert beginning this Wednesday, October 21, as Super Typhoon Champi, locally named Rosal, threatens to bring heavy rains, strong winds and possible flooding to the city despite forecasts showing no direct Philippine landfall.
Mayor Raisa Treñas ordered heightened readiness across the city’s disaster response units, with particular attention to flood-prone barangays as potentially adverse weather conditions are expected to affect Iloilo from Thursday through the weekend.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) Operations Center will activate its Blue Alert status at 8 a.m. Wednesday, putting emergency response clusters on standby for possible rescue, evacuation and other emergency operations.
Although the typhoon’s projected path indicates it will remain offshore and eventually turn away from the Philippines, city officials warned that its possible indirect effects could still pose risks to vulnerable communities.
“Your safety remains our priority. I urge all Ilonggos to monitor official weather advisories and prepare for the possible effects of the storm,” Treñas said.
The heightened alert follows a Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) conducted on October 19, during which the CDRRMO Operations Center and various emergency response clusters evaluated potential hazards and coordinated contingency measures.
The assessment focused on rescue and evacuation readiness, emergency health services, food supplies, peace and order, protection of critical infrastructure, and clearing operations.
District-level risk assessments will also be undertaken to strengthen preparedness among barangay officials and local emergency response teams, particularly in communities vulnerable to flooding.
The city government is prioritizing the readiness of its emergency response network to ensure that personnel and resources can be mobilized promptly should deteriorating weather conditions trigger flooding or other emergencies.
Under Blue Alert, the CDRRMO Operations Center will intensify monitoring and coordination, while disaster response clusters maintain heightened operational readiness.
City officials emphasized that the absence of a direct landfall forecast does not eliminate the possibility of dangerous weather conditions, particularly heavy rainfall that could cause flooding in low-lying communities.
Based on the October 19, 11 a.m. weather bulletin cited by the city government, Super Typhoon Champi was projected to move west-northwestward before turning northward on October 21.
The weather disturbance was expected to remain over waters east of the Philippines before eventually exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility by October 24.
Despite the projected track, the city government is taking precautionary measures to minimize possible disruptions and protect residents from weather-related hazards.
Residents, especially those living in flood-prone barangays, have been urged to closely monitor official weather bulletins, secure their homes and belongings, and prepare for possible emergency evacuation if authorities deem it necessary.
The city government also called on the public to cooperate with barangay officials and disaster response personnel in implementing precautionary measures./PN
