PAMPANGA, Philippines – Strong winds and heavy rain continued to batter parts of Aurora and Isabela provinces on Monday, November 11, forcing more than 3,500 families to flee their homes due to the onslaught of Typhoon Nika (Toraji).
According to a report from the Isabela Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, at least 5,220 individuals from 1,783 families have been evacuated from 16 towns across the province alone.
In Aurora, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that 5,244 individuals, or approximately 1,834 families, are currently taking shelter in designated evacuation sites across the province.
Family food packs have been prepared for distribution to the northern part of the province, including the towns of Dinalungan, Casiguran, and Dilasag.
Isabela Governor Rodito Albano urged residents to stay calm as the provincial government has been on red alert in anticipation of the typhoon’s impact. But he also expressed concern about potential flooding in the affected areas.
“Hinihingi ko lang sa atin na magdasal tayo, huminahon tayo ng konti. ‘Wag naman tayong mag-panic kaagad sa ating lalawigan. Mag-prepare lang tayo. Naka pre-position naman lahat ng gamit natin. Nandiyan naman ang ating mga tao na sanay na sanay na sa mga rescue saka sa paghahanda natin. ‘Yung mga bubong diyan, palakasin natin. Nandito kami lahat naka pre-position na yung mga goods kung saka-sakaling may baha,” Albano said.
(I just ask that we pray, stay calm, and not panic immediately in our province. Let’s just prepare. Everything is already pre-positioned. Our people are there, well-trained in rescue operations and preparations. Let’s strengthen our roofs. We’re here, and all the goods are pre-positioned in case of flooding.)
He also said many farmers were able to harvest their crops before the typhoon hit.
A liquor ban has been imposed across Isabela in response to the typhoon.
The local government has also implemented a “no sail, no fishing, and no swimming” policy to ensure public safety during the storm’s impact.
Nika was moving across the Cordillera, after its landfall in Aurora province earlier in the day and tracking through Isabela. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), it was near Lagawe, Ifugao, traveling west-northwest at 25 kilometers per hour (kph) as of 2 pm, Monday.
The typhoon sustained winds of 130 kph, with gusts strengthening to 215 km/h from 180 km/h. Nika may weaken to a severe tropical storm as it crosses mainland Luzon, though it is expected to continue bringing strong winds and heavy rain across affected regions. – Rappler.com