NDRRMC: 13k families in Albay evacuated so far

At least 13,322 out of a targeted 49,893 families have been preemptively evacuated to safe places in Albay province in Bicol amid the threat from typhoon "Chedeng" (Songda). The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Thursday also said work was suspended in most public and private offices in the province Wednesday afternoon. "Preemptive evacuation of 13,322 families or 63,964 people (was conducted) in 152 barangays in Albay as of (1 p.m. Wednesday)," it said in its 5 a.m. update. Albay Governor Jose Salceda had said they were targeting 49,893 families or 250,425 people for preemptive evacuation. The NDRRMC said those targeted for evacuation include:

• 13,322 families or 63,964 people in landslide-prone areas
• 21,766 families or 118,708 people in 141 flood-prone areas
• 7,546 families or 34,533 people in lahar riverbanks
• 7,259 families or 33,220 people in coastal areas in light-material houses

On the other hand, work in public and private offices in Albay was suspended at 2 p.m. Wednesday, except those involved in disaster preparedness and response. Wednesday's work suspension aimed to allow workers "to have enough time return to their families to prepare for the possible effects" of Chedeng, the NDRRMC said. The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol released P6.75 million in relief goods to the affected families in Libon, Albay; and P12,600 in assistance to stranded people in Bulan, Sorsogon. Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation and Communications has alerted and advised its communication groups to prepare communication equipment. For its part, the Philippine Coast Guard also declared full alert to ensure preparedness and readiness. No sign of bad weather At least as of Thursday morning, there was no sign of bad weather in Nueva Vizcaya and Aurora, two areas in Luzon expected to feel Chedeng's wrath. In Nueva Vizcaya, radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported the weather was relatively calm, although some areas had poor visibility due to fog. The weather was also sunny in Baler in Aurora province, according to a separate dzBB report. — LBG, GMA News