Cagayan residents told: Prepare before Tropical Storm Carina makes landfall

CAGAYAN, Philippines- Disaster managers advised residents in Cagayan Valley to prepare for Tropical Storm Carina.

Carina is expected to make landfall in Cagayan province on Sunday, July 31, according to the latest forecast of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). The provinces of Cagayan and Isabela have been placed under signal number 2 on Saturday, July 30.

The regional disaster agency warned residents in areas affected by Tropical Storm Carina of possible floods and landslides.

On Saturday afternoon, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) advised local government units of vulnerable towns in Northern Luzon to conduct preemptive evacuation by Sunday morning, July 31, before the storm makes landfall. (READ: #CarinaPH: Areas in Northern Luzon, Visayas prone to floods, landslides)

Norma Talosig, regional civil defense chief, said her office is in close coordination with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils (PDRRMCs) and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils (MDRRMCs).

Talosig also coordinated with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Philippine Air Force (PAF) for disaster risk reduction measures.

Meanwhile, Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba has mobilized the Task Force Lingkod Cagayan, and formed a Quick Reaction Team (QRT) and Rescue Team in the towns of Lal-lo, Tuao, Sanchez Mira, and Buguey.

Mamba said first responders and their emergency vehicles, ambulance, quick reaction teams (QRT), and heavy equipment have already been prepositioned. 

He also urged the fisherfolk in coastal areas to avoid sailing starting Saturday until the storm is out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

Residents can report emergency situations using the following hotlines:

09262532067

09363462355

09151109305

09771275507

09269560219

09163086527

Meanwhile, liquor ban and no-sail policy are also in effect in Isabela province.

The 1991 Local Government Code and the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 mandate local government units to be at the frontline of emergency measures during disasters. – Rappler.com