Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia reiterated his call to all Bacolodnons to be on guard and ensure their safety as the city is on the path of super Typhoon “Odette” as it makes its way to Guimaras and Panay islands early this morning.
“Let me also ask everyone to pray to the Lord Almighty for protection from any harm that may be caused by heavy rains and strong winds that come with this weather disturbance,” he said.
Negros Island, including Bacolod City, and nearby Guimaras Province, have already been placed under Signal No. 3 by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Leonardia said in a statement issued early yesterday evening.
Landslides, floods and surges are imminent, particularly in low-lying areas and coastal villages as well as residential communities near bodies of water such as rivers and creeks, he said.
“Odette” has already been classified as a “super typhoon” by the US-based Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) with maximum sustained winds of up to 259 kilometers per hour and gustiness of 340 kph. Its diameter is said to be 340 kilometers wide, the mayor said.
“Again, we should not let our guard down. “Odette” is a very strong typhoon that can wrought havoc on structures, trees, among others, on its path. Your City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, medical teams, other partner agencies and rescue units, as well as all Barangay DRRMCs, have been on standby to immediately respond to any calamity-related emergencies,” Leonardia said.
Evacuation centers, relief packs, both food and non-food, are being readied so are the transport services for rescue operations and generating sets in case of power outages at evacuation sites, he said.
“Maghalong kita tanan (Keep safe everyone). Stay within the confines of your homes. Keep in touch with your barangay officials and community leaders in cases of emergencies, ” Leonardia said, adding “don’t forget to pray for Divine Intervention.”*
