NDRRMC advises evacuation in 5 provinces via text blast

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Did you receive this text message from telecommunications service providers (Telcos)?

Through cell broadcast, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRMC) alerted residents in flood-prone and landslide-prone areas along the path of Typhoon Lando (Koppu) on Saturday morning, October 17.

“Severe danger of floods and landslides in 18 hours over Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, and Northern Quezon. Evacuation is advised. Visit PAGASA website,” the text message read.

Another text message was sent at 4:45 pm, Saturday, also advising Polillo Islands and Quirino province to evacuate residents in areas facing the same risks.

The typhoon continues to increase its threat to the Isabela-Aurora area where it is expected to make landfall between Saturday night and Sunday morning, October 18.

Evacuations will be enforced by local government units based on hazards identified in affected areas such as floods, landslides, and storm surges, Pama said.

Preemptive and forced evacuations are among the minimum critical activities that LGUs should be enforcing in areas expected to be critically affected (READ: What mayors should do within 48 hours before Typhoon Lando hits land)

In the next few hours, Pama noted, residents in affected areas will be receiving similar warnings and advisories like the message sent Saturday morning.

This is part of the implementation of Republic Act 10639 or the The Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act, which was passed into law on June 20, 2014.

RA 10639 mandates all Telcos to send free mobile alerts before disasters happen.

Typhoon Lando is expected to make landfall early Sunday morning. – Rappler.com