Albay disaster councils activated vs flood, lahar

By Mar S. Arguelles

LEGAZPI CITY --- Local disaster councils in Albay province were activated on Tuesday, Dec. 1, as it braces for possible flooding, lahar flows in low lying areas and landslides in mountain slopes due to a Low-Pressure Area (LPA) spotted 375 km East of Legazpi City.

Albay Gov. Al Francis Bichara has issued a provincial disaster advisory on Dec. 1 directing all 15 towns and three city disaster councils to be on high alert as the LPA could trigger moderate to heavy rains.

Cedric Daep, Albay Public Safety Emergency and Management Office (APSEMO) chief, said the cold front and the Northeast Monsoon bringing moderate to heavy rains once it breaks the rainfall threshold would cause floods, lahar, and landslide.

Daep said the wind and coastal condition could also trigger moderate to strong northeast wind producing a moderate to rough (1.2 to 4 meters high) coastal water endangering small sea craft sailing at sea.

The “no sailing” policy is now raised in the Albay due to the rough seas prevailing at the eastern flank of the province. Village disaster authorities were directed not to allow fishermen to sail.

Residents living in coastal villages in the eastern seaboard were also warned of possible strong waves to hit the coastal shores.

Local disaster councils were alerted to activate their disaster mitigating measures and initiate preemptive evacuation once the weather conditions worsen.