NDRRMC operation center on blue alert as tropical storm nears

August 25, 2017

The operation center of the National Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) was placed on blue alert status in preparation for Tropical Storm Jolina as  weather forecasters expect it to make landfall over Isabela or Aurora area Friday evening.

“The NDRRM Operations Center has raised its alert status to blue where personnel from member agencies namely: Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Bureau of Fire (BFP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) shall render 24/7 duty to ensure immediate coordination of actions taken,” said NDRRMC Executive Director and Civil Defense Administrator Usec Ricardo Jalad in a press release.

In a text message to the Daily Manila Shimbun, Romina Marasigan, NDRRMC spokesperson, said  the blue alert status was raised around 12 noon after the council met to discuss preparations.

She said the meeting attended by the council's member agencies was chaired by Jalad while regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils I, II, III, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, V and CAR also joined the meeting via Skype.

Marasigan said the council agreed to raise the alert status of the NDRRMC operation center to red or the highest alert status by 6 pm before TS Jolina will make landfall.

Marasigan said according to the state weather bureau the tropical storm is expected to make landfall over the area of Isabela or Aurora provinces around 7 to 9 pm.

At around 1 pm, Tropical Storm Jolina was spotted at 145 km southeast of Casiguran, Aurora with maximum winds of 80 kph and gusts of 95 kph. Jolina is moving west northwest at the speed of 19kph.

Marasigan said the National Council through its Regional and Local DRRM Councils is monitoring the weather disturbance as well as other related hazards which may occur due to the tropical storm. Robina Asido/DMS