(URGENT) Samar provinces urged to conduct evacuations due to ‘Nina’

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 24 (PNA) -- The Eastern Visayas Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) has asked local government units (LGUs) in the Samar provinces to implement pre-emptive or forced evacuation to ensure zero casualty as typhoon Nina is likely to hit land on Christmas Day.

Edgar Posadas, RDRRMC Chairman and Office of the Civil Defense Regional Director, said the typhoon will dump moderate to heavy rains on Christmas Day that could trigger landslides and flooding.

“If there is too much rains and the soil is saturated by a heavy downpour, we recommend pre-emptive or forced evacuation in landslide-prone and flood-prone communities.  It is the mandate of local officials to ensure the safety of everyone during disasters,” Posadas said.

Local disaster risk reduction and management councils in the provinces of Samar, Northern Samar and Eastern Samar have conducted pre-disaster risk assessments to identify the preparedness measures of LGUs.

The RDRRMC has stepped up its coordination with LGUs following the widespread flooding in Samar Island in the past days that killed five people, damaged farms, and destroyed roads and bridges.

On Friday night, the state weather Bureau has raised Storm Signal No. 1 in Northern Samar and Eastern Samar.  Samar was added to the list of affected areas on Saturday morning.

As of Saturday noon, ‘Nina’ has intensified further but slightly slowed down as it continued to move west-northwest.

Estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to heavy within the 400-km. diameter of the typhoon. “Nina’ is expected to intensify further before making landfall.

It is expected to make landfall over Catanduanes by afternoon or evening of Christmas Day.  As of 12 noon on Saturday, the eye of the Typhoon was located based on all available data at 445 km. East of Virac, Catanduanes. (PNA)

CVL/SARWEEL Q. MENIANO