Ilocos Region provinces warned of possible storm surges due to 'Nika'

MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – The Ilocos Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) directed local disaster risk reduction and management offices (LDRRMO) in the region on Sunday to immediately implement precautionary measures against possible storm surges caused by Severe Tropical Storm Nika.

Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) – Ilocos Director and RDRRMC chair Laurence Mina stated in the memorandum that all LDRRMOs must enforce preemptive evacuation as needed to ensure the safety of communities living in high-risk areas.

Storm Surge Warning No. 4 issued Sunday afternoon advised of moderate to high-risk storm surge within the next 48 hours, the OCD posted on social media.

"There is a possibility of inundation due to rising sea water along with high waves in the low-lying coastal communities in some municipalities," it stated.

The municipalities include Bacarra, Badoc, Currimao, Laoag City (Capital), Paoay, Pasuquin in Ilocos Norte, Cabugao, Caoayan, City of Candon, City of Vigan (Capital), Magsingal, Narvacan, San Esteban, San Juan (Lapog), San Vicente, Santa, Santa Catalina, Santa Cruz, Santa Lucia, Santa Maria, Santiago, Santo Domingo, Sinait, Tagudin in Ilocos Sur, Agoo, Aringay, Bacnotan, Balaoan, Bangar, Bauang, Caba, City of San Fernando (Capital), Luna, Rosario, San Juan, Santo Tomas in La Union, and Agno, Anda, Bani, Binmaley, Bolinao, Burgos, City of Alaminos, Dagupan City, Dasol, Infanta, Labrador, Lingayen (Capital), San Fabian, Sual in Pangasinan, which will possibly experience an estimated storm surge of one to two meters.

Bangui, Burgos, and Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte will possibly experience an estimated storm surge of 2.1 to 3 meters, the OCD stated.

The La Union and Pangasinan provincial governments suspended classes on Monday in all levels, both in public and private schools.

The southern portion of Ilocos Norte (Nueva Era, Solsona, Dingras, Marcos, Banna, City of Batac, Pinili, Paoay, Currimao, Badoc, Carasi, Piddig, Sarrat, San Nicolas, Laoag City), Ilocos Sur, La Union, the northeastern portion of Pangasinan (San Nicolas, Natividad, San Quintin, Sison, San Manuel, Umingan, Tayug), the central portion of Aurora (Dipaculao, Maria Aurora, Baler), the southern portion of mainland Cagayan (Solana, Iguig, Peñablanca, Tuguegarao City, Enrile, Baggao, Alcala, Amulung, Santo Niño, Rizal, Piat, Tuao, Gattaran, Lasam), the rest of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, the southern portion of Apayao (Kabugao, Conner, Flora, Pudtol, Calanasan), Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, and the northern portion of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Pantabangan, Lupao, San Jose City) were under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 as of 8 p.m.

Under Signal No. 1 were the rest of Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, the rest of Apayao, the rest of Ilocos Norte, the rest of Pangasinan, the rest of Aurora, Tarlac, the northern and central portions of Zambales (Santa Cruz, Candelaria, Masinloc, Palauig, Iba, Botolan, Cabangan, San Marcelino, San Felipe, San Narciso), the rest of Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Rizal, the eastern portion of Laguna (Santa Maria, Mabitac, Pakil, Pangil, Famy, Siniloan, Paete, Kalayaan, Cavinti, Lumban, Luisiana, Santa Cruz, Magdalena, Pagsanjan, Majayjay, Liliw, Nagcarlan, Pila, Victoria), the eastern portion of Quezon (Calauag, Guinayangan, Tagkawayan, Pitogo, San Andres, Buenavista, San Francisco, Pagbilao, Infanta, Lopez, Catanauan, Mulanay, Unisan, General Luna, Plaridel, Quezon, Alabat, Sampaloc, Padre Burgos, Macalelon, Mauban, Perez, Agdangan, Gumaca, Atimonan, Real, San Narciso, General Nakar, Lucban, City of Tayabas, Lucena City) including Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and the northeastern portion of Albay (Malinao, Tiwi, Bacacay, City of Tabaco, Malilipot, Rapu-Rapu). (PNA)