Cebu City has begun opening evacuation options and activating emergency protocols as Tropical Storm Basyang threatens parts of Central Visayas.
City Councilor Dave Tumulak, who heads the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, said Thursday that major malls across the city are ready to serve as temporary shelters if residents are advised to evacuate.
SM Seaside City Cebu, SM City Cebu, Ayala Center Cebu, Ayala Malls Central Bloc, Robinsons Galleria Cebu, and GMall have committed to open their doors, not only to residents but also to barangay responders and city emergency vehicles.
Free cellphone charging will be provided to help families stay connected during the storm.
“In case TD Basyang hits the city, SM Seaside, SM City, Ayala Center Cebu, Ayala Central Bloc, Robinsons Galleria, and GMall will serve as temporary shelters for residents.
Barangay and city response vehicles will take shelter there, with free cellphone charging available,” Tumulak said.
Citywide safety measures have also been rolled out as a precaution.
Cebu City buses are set to offer free rides should conditions deteriorate, while billboard operators were directed to roll down advertising materials starting 9 a.m. to reduce the risk of wind-related accidents.
Power interruptions may be implemented if needed to ensure public safety.
Utility providers have moved to contingency operations.
The Visayan Electric Company has pre-positioned crews and heavy equipment across the city to allow faster response to possible outages.
The Metropolitan Cebu Water District has deployed generator sets at pumping stations to maintain water supply even during power disruptions.
In rural and upland barangays prone to flooding and landslides, the city government and its contractors have strategically positioned heavy equipment ahead of the storm.
Excavators and payloaders have been stationed in Barangays Taptap, Mabini, Budlaan, Binaliw, Bonbon, and Buot to allow quicker clearing of roads and response to emergencies.
Barangay response teams have been placed on heightened alert, with rescue equipment readied and information drives ongoing to inform residents where to seek shelter if evacuation orders are issued.
As of Thursday afternoon, Pagasa placed Cebu City under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1, with expected winds ranging from 39 to 61 kilometers per hour.
In its 2 p.m. bulletin, the weather bureau said Tropical Storm Basyang was located east of Surigao del Sur, carrying maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour and moving westward.
Basyang is forecast to make landfall over Surigao del Sur before crossing Mindanao and entering the Bohol Sea, where it may pass near or over parts of Central Visayas, including areas south of Cebu. (LLP)
Photo by Suroy.ph
