NDRRMC on ‘Blue Alert’ Status on Wednesday due to Typhoon ‘Hanna’ – Pama

(PNA) — With the possible entry of typhoon “Soudelor” (international name), which is the strongest typhoon expected to come this year in Philippine territory, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) will be placed on “blue alert” status starting Wednesday morning.

NDRRMC Executive Director Alexander Pama told the Philippines News Agency the alert status would be in place at 8 a.m.

“Blue alert” requires half of the agency’s personnel to be ready for contingencies.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), typhoon Soudelo is expected to enter the eastern border of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) Wednesday and will be given the local name “Hanna” — the eighth tropical cyclone to affect the country this year and first for this month of August.

Pama said “Soudelor” will not directly affect the Philippines and it is not expected to make landfall in any part of the country but will enhance the southwest monsoon or “habagat” that will affect the Visayas and Mindanao.

Pama advised the general public and the local disaster risk reduction and management councils concerned to monitor the weather condition due to the rains brought by typhoon-enhanced “habagat.”

PAGASA weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said Soudelor has high chance to intensify into a super typhoon category.

He added the typhoon is expected to exit PAR by Friday or Saturday as it heads toward Taiwan. (PNA) SCS/CLTC