Residents in risk areas in Caraga evacuated as ‘Odette’ nears
By Alexander Lopez
Different local government units in Caraga Region on Wednesday started preemptive evacuations in high-risk areas ahead of the landfall of Typhoon Odette.
In the province of Dinagat Islands, heavy rainfall has started to hit the different towns as of Wednesday afternoon.
“Evacuations of residents in flood and landslide-prone areas have started in different towns. We are monitoring these preemptive evacuations now,” Vice Gov. Nilo Demerey Jr. told the Philippine News Agency.
He added that there is no data so far as to the number of families and individuals being evacuated as of posting time.
Demerey said the provincial government and the Office of Rep. Alan 1 Ecleo is conducting relief operations for some 477 fishermen in the province who were affected by the bad weather.
“These fishermen were not able to go out for fishing in the last two days because of big waves. We are providing them with their immediate needs,” he said.
The fishermen and their families, he added, will receive rice, canned goods, noodles, and other basic needs.
Dinagat Island is under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 as of Wednesday.
Work in government offices in the island province has also been suspended.
Surigao
Meanwhile, in Surigao City, a total of 712 families or 2,619 individuals residing in high-risk areas have been evacuated to different evacuation centers.
The evacuees came from Barangays Togbongon, Luna, Cantiasay, Washington, Lipata, Cagniog, Mabua and Sabang.
The city government said preemptive evacuations are still ongoing to ensure the safety of residents ahead of the landfall of “Odette”.
The eastern portion of Surigao del Norte, including the Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands, was placed under TCWS No. 2 on Wednesday.
Gov. Francisco Matugas has also suspended the works in public and private offices in the province.
Travels of all sea vessels and watercraft in the areas of Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur were already temporarily suspended by the Philippine Coast Guard.
The Police Regional Office in Caraga (PRO-13) said it has activated its Disaster Operations Center on Tuesday.
In a statement, PRO-13 Director Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr. said the activation was in line with Oplan “Saklolo” for Typhoon Odette and to ensure the readiness of personnel and resources of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the region.
“PNP personnel trained in search and rescue and the logistical assets will be mobilized to help the affected residents in evacuation,” he said. (PNA)
