40,000 Albay folk evacuated as strong storm approaches

(Updated 3:35 p.m.) Authorities have ordered on Wednesday the evacuation of some 40,000 residents in Albay, ahead of the expected landfall of tropical storm "Mina" (international codename: Mitag) which is forecast to hit the Bicol region on Friday. This, as the weather forecasters expect "Mina" to further gain strength and become a super typhoon before landfall. In a telephone interview with GMANews.TV, Dr. Anthony Golez, Deputy Administrator of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), said the local government in the region has started evacuating residents as early as Wednesday morning to ensure that all those in harm’s way will be moved to safety before the typhoon’s landfall. In its midday advisory, the NDCC said that the disturbance is expected to cause floodings, flashfloods, storm surge and landslides within 24 to 36 hours. Local disaster councils were also told to take precautionary measure which include preventive evacuations, stockpiling of supplies and alerting all response units. Golez said those being evacuated include residents living in areas prone to landslides, lahar flows and storm surges. He noted that the evacuation is being headed by Albay Governor Jose “Joey" Salceda. “Itinawag ni Presidente sa atin yan for us to make sure that in anticipation of the strong typhoon, those living in areas that may be affected by landslides, lahar flows, and storm surges ma-evacuate na," Golez said. “If we are to base it on the number of people living in these (hazard) areas, the number of people we will need to evacuate will reach to 40,000. We have coordinated with Gov. Salceda who said they can’t do the evacuation in one day so they are starting the evacuation now," he added. With the early start of the evacuation, Golez said officials are optimistic that a full evacuation of those in hazard areas will be completed before Friday. In Camalig town, at least 902 persons have already been evacuated, radio dzBB reported Wednesday noon, as heavy rains continued to pound the area. A separate report said residents of 22 villages in Camalig are being prepared for mass evacuation, as mudflows on Mayon's slopes have been monitored. In the interview, Golez said the local government in Albay already has in place contingency plans for such emergencies that include the identification of evacuation centers and shelters for the displaced residents. He said it’s now just a matter of implementing these plans. He, however, said there is a need to mobilize resources for the evacuees. He said relief packs, blankets, and medicines were initially identified as the items that will be most needed by those who will be evacuated. “The local government already has contingency plans in place, what the NDCC is doing is that we are augmenting their supplies. The evacuees will be needing relief packs, blankets and medicines – those are the needs initially identified by the local government," Golez said. As this developed, the Department of Education provincial office in Albay suspended classes in elementary and high school levels throughout the province starting Wednesday afternoon until Friday. Officials said this is to ensure the safety of students, amid rains and threats of landslides and flashfloods. Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) expects “Mina" to further intensify into a supertyphoon before it reaches landfall on Virac, Catanduanes Friday. GMA Flash Report said Pagasa expects the storm to gain strength as it moves closer to Bicol, as it warned of landslides and flashfloods due to widespread rains over the region. As of 2 a.m. Wednesday, "Mina" was estimated at 1,030 kilometers east of Bicol region, packing maximum winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of 80 kph. Pagasa forecasts the storm to move west at the speed of 22 kph and hit the region on Friday. - GMANews.TV