Cordillera on blue alert as super typhoon nears

BAGUIO CITY — The Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) raised a Blue Alert status here in the highland region as authorities intensified preparations for the possible impact of Super Typhoon Inday (International name: Bavi).

The Blue Alert was hoisted at 8 a.m. on Wednesday to ensure round-the-clock monitoring, early warning, coordination and operational readiness among member agencies and local disaster risk reduction and management councils across the region.

The regional response cluster, led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Cordillera, has already been activated. Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis teams, the Cordillera Regional Incident Management Team and Detailed Duty Officers have also been placed on standby for possible deployment.

As of the 11 a.m. tropical cyclone bulletin on Wednesday, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was hoisted over Apayao, Kalinga, the eastern towns of Aguinaldo and Alfonso Lista in Ifugao, the eastern Mountain Province towns of Natonin and Paracelis, and the northern Abra municipalities of Tineg, Lagayan, Danglas, San Juan, Lagangilang, Licuan-Baay, Malibcong, Lacub, Daguioman, Dolores and La Paz.

Disaster officials urged residents in affected areas to monitor the latest weather advisories, prepare for possible heavy rains and strong winds, and coordinate with local authorities as Super Typhoon Inday continues to move toward Northern Luzon. — Artemio A. Dumlao