Evacuations ordered in preparation for Bavi

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos on Monday ordered government agencies to implement preemptive measures, including evacuations in high-risk areas, in preparation for Super Typhoon Bavi, which would be named Inday when it enters the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

“This is a whole-of-government approach, so all agencies involved need to act. That is the President’s directive,” Palace press officer Claire Castro said.

As of 3 p.m. Monday, Bavi was estimated at 2,120 kilometers east of southeastern Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 205 kilometers per hour (km/h) near the center, gusts of up to 250 km/h, and moving west-northwestward at 20 km/h.

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READ: Bavi to enhance habagat; isolated storms in next 24 hours — Pagasa

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“At present, it is not affecting any part of the country. However, in the coming days—most likely during the second half of the week—we expect Typhoon Bavi and the southwest monsoon (habagat) to affect various parts of the country,” Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) weather specialist Grace Castañeda-Carpio said.

Pagasa is expected to raise tropical cyclone wind signals up to Signal No. 3 even though Bavi is not forecast to make landfall anywhere in the country.

Instructions

Castro said the President has directed the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and all concerned agencies to activate a whole-of-government response ahead of Bavi’s entry into PAR.

READ: Super Typhoon Bavi inflicts ‘major’ damage on US island of Rota

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These included the conduct of predisaster risk assessment and scenario meetings, as well as placing response clusters under both the NDRRMC and Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils on standby.

They were also ordered to intensify public advisories and warning systems through all available communication channels and platforms, implement preemptive evacuations in high-risk areas, secure safe evacuation centers and establish designated zones for livestock.

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The President likewise ordered the prepositioning of rescue teams, relief goods and essential supplies, including provisions for individuals with special needs, while also identifying alternative routes that may be used in affected areas.

Other measures include enforcing sea travel bans, conducting inspections of critical infrastructure and extending early assistance to vulnerable sectors.

Government agencies were also instructed to closely monitor possible public health risks, including diseases associated with flooding.

Cyclone’s track

Pagasa’s latest forecast track shows Bavi moving generally west-northwestward toward the area east of Taiwan.

“If its track shifts farther south, we also cannot rule out the possibility of raising wind signals over the eastern sections of southern Luzon and the Visayas, possibly as early as Tuesday night or Wednesday morning. However, based on current forecasts, that scenario remains less likely,” Castañeda-Carpio said.

According to the weather bureau, Bavi is expected to maintain its supertyphoon strength as it enters PAR and will gradually weaken as it moves toward extreme northern Luzon.

While it is unlikely to make landfall over any part of Luzon, the supertyphoon’s strength and wide extent could still trigger signals over the northern and eastern portions of northern Luzon, Pagasa said.

The highest tropical cyclone wind signal expected during Bavi’s passage is likely Signal No. 2 or Signal No. 3, it noted.

Effect on ‘habagat’

Pagasa added that Bavi is expected to enhance the habagat beginning Wednesday, bringing periodic rains over the southwestern portion of Mindanao before expanding to the western sections of southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao by Thursday.

By Friday, monsoon rains may also affect the western sections of Central Luzon, southern Luzon, the Visayas, Mindanao and the Ilocos Region.

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According to Pagasa, the enhanced monsoon could produce moderate to heavy rainfall in some areas, raising the risk of flooding, particularly in the western sections of the country. /cb