Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson has placed Negros Occidental on Red Alert status as Severe Tropical Storm Odette approaches, while Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon called for prayers.
Severe Tropical Storm Rai entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility at 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 14, and was assigned the domestic name “Odette”.
Lacson placed all Disaster Operations Centers throughout Negros Occidental on red alert, Zeaphard Gerhart Caelian, Provincial Disaster Management Program Division head, said.
“You are advised to heighten your preparedness, initiate pro active measures and take appropriate precautionary actions for possible flooding, flash floods or landslides,” the governor said.
Caelian said “Odette” could hit Negros Occidental on Wednesday.
As of Tuesday, the track indicated that “Odette” could hit southern Negros but because it has a very wide radius it could affect the entire province, he said.
“Let’s pray that this typhoon will pass without any casualties,” Caelian said, as he stressed the need to take precautionary measures.
He warned that the continuous rains in Negros Occidental during the past few days have already saturated the earth and landslides are possible.
A report from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau classified 20 barangays at very high risk for landslides, and 56 others at very high risk for flooding in Negros Occidental.
They are located in Don Salvador Benedicto, Silay City, Victorias City, Manapla, Ilog, Kabankalan City, EB Magalona, Cadiz City, Talisay City and Murcia.
There also other barangays classified at high to moderate risks for landslides and flooding.
Caelian said instructions have also been made for the observance of COVID-19 health protocols at evacuation centers.
The Philippine Coast Guard has gone on alert for rescue operations and relief missions, while the Department of Social Welfare and Development began prepositioning family food packs for possible evacuees.
The DSWD said 3,400 family food packs were delivered to Bago City.*