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OCD: Negros quake triggers tsunami fears


A powerful predawn magnitude-6.2 quake that hit the Negros area triggered tsunami fears that prompted the voluntary evacuation of families and the suspension of classes in some areas of Negros Occidental Tuesday. Office of the Civil Defense Region 6 (Western Visayas) information officer Aletha Nogra said many of the residents had feared a tsunami from the quake despite the fact that authorities did not raise a tsunami alert. "Walang tsunami alert from Phivolcs, sa local wala ring tsunami alert. Pero ang tao kusang lumikas dahil naka-experience ng panic dahil malakas ang lindol na naranasan sa Sipalay City," Nogra said in an interview on dzBB radio. (In Sipalay City, people evacuated their homes even without tsunami alerts from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology or local officials. They may have felt panic after feeling the quake before dawn.) Citing initial reports, Nogra said the residents who evacuated their homes were from the city's Barangays 1, 2, 3, and 5, amounting to at least 5,000 residents. Nogra also said local officials in Hinobaan town in Negros Occidental suspended classes in all levels for the day.


As of Tuesday noon, she said local and city disaster risk reduction and management officials were trying to convince the residents to return home. "Kinukumbinsi (nila) ang tao walang possible threat sa tsunami so safe bumalik sa tahanan (They are trying to convince the residents to return to their homes as there is no possible threat from a tsunami)," she said. Earlier Tuesday, at least three predawn quakes, with the most powerful measuring magnitude-6.2, jolted the Negros area in Western Visayas. The first quake was felt at 4:47 a.m., with the epicenter at 93 km southwest of Dumaguete City. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said the quake was felt at:
  • Intensity V in Sipalay City, Kabangkalan and Cauayan in Negros Occidental;
  • Intensity IV in Iloilo City, Oton, Iloilo; Dumaguete City; Binalbagan and Hinigaran; Sibulan, Negros Occidental;
  • Intensity III in Dumaguete City; Sibulan, Negros Occidental; San Jose, Antique; Roxas City; Panay, Capiz; Dapitan City; Talisay City, Negros Occidental; Dipolog City;
  • Intensity II in Cagayan de Oro City; La Carlota City, Negros Occidental; Buenavista, Agusan del Sur; and Patnogan, Antique; and
  • Intensity I in Kalibo, Lezo and Banga, Aklan; La Castellana, Negros Occidental; and Zamboanga City Sipalay City disaster management officials said the tsunami scare hit communities in Sipalay City, particularly Barangays 1, 2, and 3. Families there evacuated to Camp Valdez with people "insisted (on staying) at higher grounds for fear that possible tsunami may occur," the NDRRMC said. Two more quakes Phivolcs also recorded at least two more quakes after the 4:47 a.m. quake. The first, measuring magnitude 5.5, was recorded at 5:03 a.m., while the second, measuring magnitude 5.7, was recorded at 5:05 a.m. Both were at 112 km southwest of Dumaguete City, Phivolcs said. Phivolcs describes an Intensity V quake as "Strong." An Intensity V quake is "generally felt by most people indoors and outdoors" while many sleeping people are awakened. "Some are frightened, some run outdoors. Strong shaking and rocking felt throughout building. Hanging objects swing violently. Dining utensils clatter and clink; some are broken. Small, light and unstable objects may fall or overturn. Liquids spill from filled open containers. Standing vehicles rock noticeably. Shaking of leaves and twigs of trees are noticeable," it said. An Intensity IV quake is "Moderately Strong," felt generally by people indoors and by some people outdoors. "Light sleepers are awakened. Vibration is felt like a passing of heavy truck. Hanging objects swing considerably. Dinner, plates, glasses, windows and doors rattle. Floors and walls of wood framed buildings creak. Standing motor cars may rock slightly. Liquids in containers are slightly disturbed. Water in containers oscillates strongly. Rumbling sound may sometimes be heard," it said. An Intensity III quake is "Weak," felt by many people indoors especially in upper floors of buildings. An Intensity II quake is "Slightly Felt," felt by few individuals at rest indoors. - KBK, GMA News
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