ILOILO City – The Western Visayas 24/7 Emergency Operations Center maintains its “blue alert” status as it continues to monitor the Severe Tropical Storm “Falcon.”
On Friday, July 28, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) 6 issued RDRRMC Memorandum No. 76, directing all regional and local DRRM councils to undertake necessary preparedness measures for “Falcon” and the effects of the southwest monsoon or habagat.
“Falcon” (international name: Khanun) entered the Philippine area of responsibility at 11 p.m. on July 28. Yesterday, it developed into a severe tropical storm as it moved north-northwestward over the Philippine Sea.
Based on the 11 a.m. weather bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), “Falcon” was moving 15 kilometers per hour (kph) and was last monitored 1,180 kilometers east of Northern Luzon.
It is forecast to intensify within the next three days steadily. It may reach its peak intensity on Tuesday.
The state weather bureau added that “Falcon” has enhanced the habagat that is expected to affect and bring gusty conditions over coastal and upland or mountainous areas of Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Romblon, Northern Samar, and most of Calabarzon, Bicol Region, and Western Visayas.
Meanwhile, based on the assessment of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, 251 barangays in the region are susceptible to landslide and flooding.
Majority of these are in Antique with 190 followed by Iloilo (50), Negros Occidental (five), Guimaras (four), and Aklan (two)./PN
