Iloilo City on blue alert as Rosal threatens Western Visayas

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — The Iloilo City government has placed its disaster response operations on blue alert status effective Wednesday, as authorities brace for possible heavy rainfall and strong winds from Super Typhoon Rosal, internationally named Champi.

Mayor Raisa Treñas, chairperson of the Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (ICDRRMC), ordered the activation of the city’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC), which started at 8 a.m. Wednesday until further notice.

The directive, contained in Memorandum Order No. 415 dated October 20, requires disaster response personnel, district and barangay disaster councils, and concerned government agencies to heighten preparedness and remain on standby for possible emergency deployment.

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READ: Rosal to bring heavy rains, strong winds to Luzon despite no landfall

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The move followed weather monitoring by the Iloilo City Operations Center and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), which indicated that Rosal could bring adverse weather conditions to Western Visayas despite its projected track toward Taiwan.

According to the city’s October 20 advisory, Rosal was inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility as of 11 a.m. Tuesday and was forecast to maintain its strength while moving west-northwestward over the Philippine Sea.

The typhoon was expected to turn northwestward through Friday morning before heading north-northwestward toward Taiwan and exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Friday evening or early Saturday.

Although its projected path does not directly cross Western Visayas, the city government warned that heavy rainfall and severe winds could still affect areas outside the typhoon’s forecast cone.

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“While initial tracks head toward Taiwan and bring potential rainfall and gusty conditions to Western Visayas, heavy rainfall and severe winds may still affect areas outside the forecast cone,” the memorandum stated.

Under the blue alert status, the city’s Emergency Operations Center conducts round-the-clock monitoring of weather developments and disaster-related incidents.

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READ: PH Weather Updates Today: Storm News and PAGASA Forecasts

Response cluster leaders and ICDRRMC members have been directed to remain on standby and prepare for possible deployment.

District Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (DDRRMCs) and Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committees (BDRRMCs) were likewise instructed to activate their respective emergency operations centers and raise their alert levels to blue.

The city government also ordered an inventory of rescue equipment, emergency supplies, welfare goods, and other life-saving resources to ensure their availability during emergencies.

Response teams were directed to identify and prepare designated evacuation centers for residents who may need to leave their homes.

The memorandum also requires barangay and district disaster councils to report incidents and preparedness activities to the city EOC to facilitate immediate coordination among response agencies.

In a separate preparedness advisory issued on October 20, the city government urged residents to monitor official weather bulletins and rainfall warnings, particularly those transmitted through text messages.

Households were advised to stock ready-to-eat food, drinking water, medicines and first-aid supplies, and prepare emergency go-bags or 72-hour survival kits.

Residents were also encouraged to keep flashlights, battery-operated radios, and spare batteries readily available in case of power interruptions.

The city government reminded homeowners to inspect and secure roofs and other vulnerable parts of their houses, prune hazardous tree branches, and clear clogged drainage systems and waterways to minimize flooding.

Families living in flood-prone and other high-risk areas were advised to familiarize themselves with evacuation routes and immediately comply with evacuation orders issued by local authorities.

The city government emphasized that disaster preparedness should begin at the household and community levels even before severe weather conditions develop.

READ: Pagasa raises Signal No. 2 in Batanes as Super Typhoon Rosal moves away

Residents may report emergencies and other incidents requiring immediate attention to the Iloilo City Emergency Operations Center through 09190662333 or 09616535111 (Viber), or by email at [email protected].

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The blue alert status will remain in effect until the city government lifts it./coa