TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) – The Cagayan Valley Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) has raised its alert status to red in anticipation of the impending impact of tropical depression Kristine.
Civil Defense Regional Director Leon DG. Rafael, chair RDRRMC, has urged local disaster councils to prepare their response assets, equipment, food, and non-food items as Kristine approaches the Cagayan Valley Region.
Rafael also instructed all rescue teams to remain vigilant for potential pre-emptive evacuations, particularly in areas to be affected by the storm.
“We must verify that our rescue assets are operational. Evacuation centers should be prepared, and all local DRRM councils must conduct pre-disaster risk assessments in response to this weather disturbance,” Rafael said.
Romeo Ganal, weather specialist from PAGASA, noted that the tropical depression could intensify into a severe tropical storm and is expected to make landfall over Cagayan or Isabela by Wednesday evening, moving through the Cordillera and exiting the Ilocos region by Thursday.
Ganal also warned that the rain bands from the typhoon may impact broader areas of Northern Luzon, urging communities in low-lying, flood-prone, and landslide-prone areas to take precautionary measures.
Several municipalities in Cagayan and Isabela have already been placed under tropical wind signal number 1, prompting some local governments to suspend basic education classes.
This includes Tuguegarao City, Calayan Island, Iguig, Lallo, Enrile, and Solana in Cagayan province, as well as Tumauini in Isabela. (OTB/PIA Region 2)
