BY GLENDA TAYONA AND DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
ILOILO City – Hundreds of travelers were stranded after Western Visayas was placed under Typhoon Signal No. 1 (as of 11 a.m. on Wednesday) due to severe tropical storm “Odette” (international name: “Rai”).
Among the routes affected were the Sagay City to Tabuelan, Cebu; Escalante City to Tabuelan, Cebu; and San Carlos City to Toledo City, Cebu, said Captain Ludovico Librilla, deputy commander of the Coast Guard District Western Visayas and commander of Coast Guard Station in Negros Occidental.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) also suspended trips between Bacolod City to Iloilo City and Dumangas town, as well as Bacolod City bound for Manila, Cagayan de Oro and Batangas.
Trips from Iloilo City en route Cebu City (vice versa) and Estancia, Iloilo en route Tabuelan were also cancelled.
At 11 p.m. last night, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration hoisted Signal No. 2 over Negros Occidental, Guimaras and 15 municipalities in Iloilo province (Carles, Balasan, Batad, Estancia, San Dionisio, Concepcion, Sara, Ajuy, Lemery, San Rafael, Banate, Anilao, Barotac Viejo, Barotac Nuevo, and Dumangas).
The rest of Iloilo and the provinces of Aklan, Antique and Capiz were under Signal No. 1.
The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) in Western Visayas issued a general flood advisory yesterday that may be brought by light to moderate rains and thunderstorm that may affect watercourses (rivers and tributaries) in Ibajay and Jalo in Aklan; Sibalom, Ipayo, Cagaranan, Palawan, Cairauan, Dalanas and Tibiao in Antique; Panay,Mambusao, Malinao, Alngon and Balantian in Capiz; Guimaras; Pinantan, Barotac, Acalaygan, Jalaud, Jalano, Jagdong, Jalaur, Lauran, Jaro-Aganan, Sibalom and Guimbal in Iloilo; and Malogo, Sicaba, Grande, Himogaan, Danao, upper Tabanan, Sipalay and lower Liog in Negros Occidental.
Based on Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 4, issued at 5 p.m. yesterday, “Odette” further intensified while moving west northwestward over the Philippine sea.
The center of the yphoon was estimated (based on all available data) at 485 kilometers (km) east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur with maximum sustained winds of 130 km per hour (/h) near the center, gustiness of up to 160 km/h, and central pressure of 970 hPa (hectopascal).
Meanwhile, hundreds of Western Visayans also fleed their homes and took shelter in barangay halls, schools, covered gym, and health centers.
As of press time, at least 217 families composed of 706 individuals in Roxas City, Capiz went on preemptive evacuation as early as Tuesday night.
Based on the report from the Roxas City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), these families came from 10 coastal barangays in the city namely, Baybay, Barra, Dumolog, Cogon, Minas, Punta Cogon, Olotayan, Bago, Culasi, and Lawaan.
The Roxas City government set-up disaster relief tents at the Dinggoy Roxas Civic Center and prepared relief goods for the affected families.
In Iloilo City, the Social Welfare and Development Office readied 500 food packs good for two days. It also activated its Emergency Operation Center (EOC) and placed the city under Blue Alert.
“I urge all barangays to continue to be vigilant as we brace for the entry of typhoon ‘Odette,’” said Mayor Jerry Treñas.
“The weather disturbance is expected to bring heavy rains, possible flooding in low lying areas, and a storm surge in coastal barangays. We will have a pre-emptive evacuation of identified barangays if necessary,” he added.
RDRRMC has yet to report flooding, damage in infrastructure and agriculture, as well as casualties or injuries related to the typhoon.
Meanwhile, early morning today through Friday early morning, heavy to intense with at times torrential rains will be experienced in the region and other areas in the Visayas and northern Mindanao.
Gale- to storm-force strength will be experienced within any of the areas where Signal No. 2 is in effect. This may result in generally light to moderate damage to structures and vegetation./PN
