Disaster Risk Areas in Cebu City Urged to Evacuate

Cebu City Michael Rama orders the preventive evacuation in disaster risk areas in Cebu City.

In a public statement on December 13, Rama urges affected residents to cooperate with the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) during the evacuation.

“I ask our constituents along the riversides, especially at Kinalumsan and Mahiga, and by the seafront, like Ermita, Pasil, and Suba, to be more prepared. Please understand that our CDDRRMO will have to facilitate preventive evacuation. The same is true at portions in our mountain barangays, like Buhisan,” Rama said in his public statement.

About 100 areas in 38 different barangays will be closely monitored for flooding, as well as 50 different areas from 11 barangays for landslides.

In a briefing with Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Rama said that Bagyong Odette is predicted to have 150 kph winds and will also bring 500,000 drums of rain per square kilometer, over three times more than the minimum red alert.

Bagyong Odette is predicted to arrive in Cebu on Thursday, December 16, or Friday, December 17.

Rama also said that the distribution of financial assistance for senior citizens is postponed and will be moved from December 20 to December 22.

“We may have to postpone the distribution of financial assistance to Senior Citizens from December 18 to 20, towards Monday, December 20 until the 22nd,” Rama said.

Rama added that if the weather permits the vaccination drive will continue until December 14. (ASC)