QUEZON CITY, (PIA) — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has raised a 10-day alert in preparation for the impacts of Typhoon Nika and two other tropical cyclones expected to enter the country this week, Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla announced Monday.
“You can see the scenario: between November 11 and 17, we will have three typhoons entering the Philippines, all on the same path. So, between Marce and Pepito, that means four typhoons in 10 days, following the same trajectory,” Remulla explained during a press briefing held at the Office of Civil Defense Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
As vice chair of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s (NDRRMC) and lead of its Preparedness Cluster, Remulla assured the public that all systems are in place for disaster response.
He has advised 2,500 barangays directly in the path of Typhoon Nika, particularly in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, and Cordillera Administrative Region, to conduct pre-emptive evacuations, while local governments remain on standby.
Typhoon Nika made landfall in Dilasag, Aurora, around 8:10 a.m. Monday, with the eye of the storm last tracked in San Agustin, Isabela.
According to the latest report from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Typhoon Nika is expected to strengthen as it moves across Northern Luzon.
While Nika is anticipated to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) tomorrow, it will be quickly followed by the entry of a Tropical Depression, which is expected to be named Ofel.
PAGASA is also monitoring another storm that may enter its domain and could be named Pepito if it crosses into the PAR.
The government continues to urge residents in affected areas to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions as multiple tropical cyclones approach. (AVS/PIA-NCR)
(Photo courtesy: Civil Defense PH Facebook page)
