Butuan City placed under Red Alert Status; effects of TS Basyang closely monitored
By Mariesh F. Celedeña
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The local government of Butuan has placed the city under Red Alert Status following the issuance of Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 over the province of Agusan del Norte due to Tropical Storm Basyang.
Currently, TS Basyang accelerates while moving towards Eastern Mindanao. At 7:00 in the morning, TS Basyang was estimated based on all available data at 385 km East of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur (8.0°N, 129.8°E) with maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 80 km/h, and central pressure of 1000 hPa.
Under the Red Alert Status, all response clusters, the Incident Management Team, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC), and personnel of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (CDRRMD) have been fully activated to ensure heightened preparedness and swift response operations.
In addition, the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committees (BDRRMCs) of the city’s 86 barangays are mandated to be physically present in their respective barangay offices to facilitate faster information dissemination and immediate response to any emergency situation.
The full activation of the different response teams enables quicker coordination and identification of areas that require urgent attention, particularly barangays that are prone to flooding, landslides, and other weather-related hazards.
According to the CDRRMD, continuous monitoring of the Agusan River’s water level is ongoing, especially as water runoff from Agusan del Sur and neighboring provinces is expected to pass through the river system, which may lead to flooding. The department is also closely monitoring the wind and wave conditions in Butuan Bay brought about by Tropical Storm Basyang. Response equipment such as life vests, speedboats, and other rescue paraphernalia have already been prepared and positioned for immediate use.
Meanwhile, the City Social Welfare and Development Department (CSWDD) has pre-positioned relief goods that are ready for deployment to designated evacuation centers in case flooding or other storm-related incidents occur.
City Mayor Atty. Lawrence Lemuel H. Fortun advised all the Butuanons to remain vigilant, closely monitor official advisories, and prepare Go Bags containing essential emergency supplies.
The CDRRMD further encourages all Butuanons to immediately report any emergencies, incidents, or observed hazards to their barangay officials or to the CDRRMD hotline to ensure prompt response and assistance. (MFC, PIA Caraga, with a report from CDRRMD)
