BACOLOD City – The entire province of Negros Occidental has been placed under “Blue Alert” due to expected heavy rains generated by Tropical Storm “Egay” (international name: Doksuri).
Provincial Disaster Management Program Division (PDMPD) head Irene Bel Ploteña said although “Egay” will not directly hit Negros Occidental, the province expects heavy rains.
As of yesterday afternoon, “Egay” was last spotted east of Baler, Aurora, with maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of 185 kph.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, the typhoon is moving slowly westward.
The state weather bureau also forecasts the storm will intensify into a super typhoon later today or early Wednesday.
Ploteña said they received reports of evacuations in the municipalities of San Enrique, Valladolid, Binalbagan, and Bago City.
The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) has prepared relief goods for those affected.
Meanwhile, the water level in the Pangiplan River Irrigation System in Himamaylan and the Bago River Irrigation System is currently normal, with only one gate open and five others closed, Ploteña also mentioned.
The PDMPD officer urged the public to remain vigilant. (Watchmen Daily Journal)
