PILI, Camarines Sur, April 1 (PIA) --- With a 50 to 60 percent strike probabilities based on the initial and early forecasts of Typhhon Maysak’s track hitting the province, the provincial government of Camarines Sur wasted no time and immediately called for an emergency meeting of all the members of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) today.
All the preparations, from securing the families living near the sea and coastal waters to the pre-positioning of relief goods to be delivered in far flung areas which could be severely hit by the typhoon were already put in place.
Based on unofficial calculations of TS Maysak’s paths this morning, the provinces of Catanduanes, Camarines Norte and the Partido District in Camarines Sur, have a 50—60 probability of being hit , 20-30 for Masbate and 40 to 50 percent for the rest of the Bicol Region.
Relative to this, the PDRRMC under the direction of Camarines Sur Governor Migz Villafuerte is expected to issue succeeding advisories to various MDRRMCs to keep a vigilant eye on flood and landslide prone areas in various parts of the province particularly those in the hinterlands.
Rescue units, involving the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Philippine Army among others, were already alerted to keep themselves posted on the latest bulletin regarding TS Maysak.
Meanwhile this morning, Naga City Mayor John Bongat also convened the city’s various department heads in anticipation of the TS Maysak’s entry anytime tomorrow, Maundy Thursday until Sunday. Bongat during the Naga City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NCDRRMC) meeting already directed the rescue units to also stay vigilant until after the bad weather is over.
Bongat also directed the City Social Welfare Development Office to prepare food packs for any eventualities. Emergency vehicles and personnel were tasked to stand by and keep abreast of the latest weather bulletin.
Typhoon Maysak will be renamed Chedeng once it enters the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR). It is packed with sustained winds of 215kph and gustiness of up to 250kph. (LSMacatangay, PIAV/Camarines Sur)