Storm Watch: Caraga gears up for STS Tino’s impact
By NiΓ±a Jonalyn-Diamante
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The Caraga Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), in coordination with Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (LDRRMOs), held two Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) scenario-building meetings on November 1 and 2 via online conferencing to prepare for the potential impact of Severe Tropical Storm (STS) Tino.
Originally classified as Tropical Depression ‘Kalmaegi’ (international name), the weather disturbance entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) at 5:30 AM on Nov. 2 and was locally named ‘Tino.’ Within the same day, it intensified into a category four severe tropical storm, prompting heightened monitoring and preparedness activities across the region.
STS Tino is projected to make landfall between the evening of Nov. 3 and the morning of Nov. 4, with Dinagat Islands identified as a likely entry point. The storm’s trajectory bears similarities to Typhoon Odette in 2021, according to Engineer Ver Lance Galanida of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Caraga, who participated in the PDRA meetings to provide technical guidance.
“Looking at the ‘cone of uncertainty,’ which shows the likely path of a storm’s center and the extended areas which may also be affected, we are seeing a similar track with that of Typhoon Yolanda back in 2013 and Odette in 2021,” Galanida said. “As such, we must also consider anchoring our preparedness measures on the trend of the past typhoon so that we would no longer fall victim to the same hazards that we’ve gone through before.”
During the meetings, provincial, municipal, and city DRRMOs, along with member agencies of the Caraga RDRRMC, presented their respective preparedness actions. These include prepositioning relief goods, activating emergency response teams, and coordinating with local stakeholders.
Dinagat Islands was the first province to be placed under Wind Signal No. 1, followed by Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Norte. As STS Tino continues its approach, additional provinces in Caraga are expected to be placed under similar advisories.
Local PDRRMOs also conducted their own PDRA sessions to address localized concerns and ensure community-level readiness. Authorities continue to urge residents in vulnerable areas to stay alert and heed official warnings as the storm progresses. (NJGD/PIA Caraga; Photo courtesy of DOST-PAGASA)
