DILG's Remulla ensures all gov't units ready for Kristine

Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla III on Tuesday ensured that all government units are prepared in anticipation of the effects of Tropical Storm Kristine.

“All units have been mobilized, all local government units have been informed. The final path is not yet determined – there’s one path that goes up north, this one path it goes to Central Luzon,” Remulla said at a Palace press briefing.

“So, we will know later tonight on which exact path it will follow,” he added.

Remulla said he recommended the suspension of classes in the entire Luzon for the safety of students.

The Office of Civil Defense on Monday activated the “Charlie” protocol — the highest level of emergency preparedness — in seven regions due to the potential impact of Kristine.

The high-risk areas include Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Eastern Visayas.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 was raised over Catanduanes on Tuesday as Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami) maintained its strength, weather bureau PAGASA said in its 11 a.m. bulletin.

Under TCWS No. 2, winds of greater than 62 km/h and up to 88 km/h may be expected in at least 24 hours.

PAGASA said the highest wind signal that may be hoisted during the occurrence of Kristine is still TCWS No. 3, considering the possibility of rapid intensification.

The weather bureau also said that there is a moderate to high risk of life-threatening storm surge in the next 48 hours over the low-lying or exposed coastal localities of Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, Aurora, Isabela, and Cagayan.

Intense to torrential rains may also be expected from Tuesday up to Wednesday noon in Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, and Northern Samar.

Some areas have already suspended classes or ordered a shift to online classes or modular distance learning for Wednesday, October 23, 2024, in anticipation of the bad weather due to Kristine. —KG, GMA Integrated News