ILOILO City – Tropical depression “Auring” (international name: “Dujuan”) weakened into a low-pressure area on Monday afternoon.
Its impact on Western Visayas was very minimal, said Aletha Nogra, chief of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 6’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Division.
Nogra cited the full preparedness of the region.
“High-risk local government units were able to undertake preemptive evacuations,” said Nogra during yesterday’s virtual press conference with the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC).
There was no massive flooding though some parts of Negros Occidental were inundated by floodwaters following moderate to heavy rains.
Nogra highlighted the willingness of the communities to undergo preemptive evacuation upon the recommendation of their local DRRM councils and local chief executives.
“We would like also to highlight those managing their evacuation camps, those who activated their social welfare, DRMM offices as well as the peace and security clusters,” said Nogra.
The pre-disaster risk reduction assessment on Feb. 19 was a contributing factor, too, to the region’s effective typhoon preparations.
Several areas in the region were placed under storm signal No. 1 over the weekend.
Data from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 6 showed a total of 1,196 families (composed of 4,609 individuals) from 31 barangays temporarily transferred to 51 evacuation centers as a disaster preemptive move.
DSWD-6 also prepositioned family food packs.
There were no reported typhoon casualties or injuries.
Meanwhile, as of yesterday, the Department of Public Works and Highways reported a lane of the road in Calatrava, Negros Occidental was not passable due to scouring.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Region 6 also reported that a total of 29 motorboats and other vessels took shelter in Antique due to strong waves.
After “Auring” weakened, the PCG ordered the resumption of all sea trips in the region./PN
