Forced evacuation imposed in Ilocos Sur as ‘Nika’ intensifies

VIGAN CITY, PIA (Ilocos Sur) — The provincial government of Ilocos Sur imposed forced evacuation in all cities and municipalities in the province upon the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (PDRRM) Council as “Nika” intensifies to Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 4 noon of Monday, November 11.

In a Facebook post, Governor Jeremias Singson declared the forced evacuation and mandated all local government units to position their assets and logistics to ensure an immediate response.

In the Ammuentayo radio program of PIA Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Sur DRRM officer Rhon Arquelada said the council recommended this action for residents to move to higher areas or to the evacuation centers in their LGUs as a safety precaution to prevent any damage and to protect their welfare.

“The council decided on declaring forced evacuation for the high-risk areas, flood-prone areas, landslide-prone areas, low-lying areas, coastal areas, and nearby river areas because Nika intensified into a typhoon and there is already a storm surge warning in our province,” Arquelada said.

He added, “After lunch, around 2-3 p.m. we can begin to expect heavy rains, and it will intensify at around 4 to 6 in the evening, so I appeal to our Ilocos Sur residents to please comply with the forced evacuation.”

Arquelada also told the residents to always be safe and be on alert and reminded them to save the emergency contact numbers of agencies, particularly the hotlines of PDRRM offices published in the official page of the PDRRMO Ilocos Sur at www.facebook.com/pdrrmoilocossur.

According to the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), there are 283 families or 863 individuals in evacuation centers across the province in the towns of Bantay, Burgos, Caoayan, Santa, Sugpon, and Suyo, as well as in Vigan City, while there are 43 families or 119 individuals who opted to stay outside evacuation centers or at their relatives’ dwellings.

The PSWDO said that the Municipal SWDO of these towns have provided the affected residents with food and other immediate assistance as directed by the provincial government, while necessary preparations are being conducted to provide them with further assistance they may require, such as hot meals, food packs, and others.

As of 2 p.m., the northern and central portions of Ilocos Sur, including Cabugao, Sinait, San Juan, San Emilio, Lidlidda, Banayoyo, Santiago, San Esteban, Burgos, Santa Maria, Magsingal, San Vicente, Santa Catalina, Nagbukel, San Ildefonso, City of Vigan, Caoayan, Santa, Bantay, Santo Domingo, Narvacan, Quirino, Cervantes, Sigay, Salcedo, Santa Lucia, City of Candon, Galimuyod, Gregorio del Pilar, and Santa Cruz are under TCWS No. 4.

The rest of the province is under TCWS No. 3, based on Bulletin No. 14 of the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical,  and Astronomical Services Administration. (AMB/ATV/PIA Ilocos Sur)

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