Response teams, evac centers readied as Cebu City braces for ‘Wilma’

Local

CEBU City has been placed under blue alert status.

Local disaster teams and barangays brace for possible evacuations as Tropical Depression Wilma moves closer to the Visayas, bringing persistent rains and the threat of flooding and landslides.

Councilor Dave Tumulak, chairperson of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDRRMC), confirmed on Friday, Dec. 5, that the city has been under blue alert since 2 p.m. Thursday, citing the heightened risk posed by Wilma.

Tumulak said the city has already activated its emergency operations and informed all barangays to prepare their quick response teams and evacuation centers.

“Prepared na. Giinform na nato ang mga barangay. Blue alert nata since 2 p.m. kay isuguro na nato nga dili na masuban ang unsay nahitabo sa Tino,” he said, referring to the flooding caused by Tropical Depression Tino in previous years.

He urged residents in danger zones to take preemptive action.

“Base sa mga forecast, nakita nato naa nay mga pag-uwan. Ang forecast ugma adlawa to Sabado, muhangyo ta sa mga barangay dili ta pawala sa kompiyansa after Tino. Sa mga nagpuyo sa danger zones, mo-execuate na. Mas maayo maniguro ta ug dili nata mosugot nga naa pay makalas na kinabuhi sa atong dakbayan.”

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) warned that Cebu could receive 50 to 100 millimeters of rain on Friday, enough to overwhelm waterways in flood-prone communities.

Engineer Al Quiblat, Pagasa-Mactan chief, earlier explained that the volume is equivalent to 250,000 to 500,000 drums of water per square kilometer spread throughout the day.

“This is our advance advisory for the 24 hours rainfall,” Quiblat said. “For those in low-lying, flood-prone areas, magmatngon in advance. The best step is to coordinate with your local disaster manager for mitigation and preparation.”

Rainfall is expected to intensify on Saturday, with forecasts indicating 100 to 200 mm as Wilma edges closer to the Visayas.

Rains may persist until Sunday, Dec. 7, although conditions may gradually improve as the system weakens.

In its 2 p.m. bulletin, Pagasa said Wilma slightly decelerated while maintaining maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h and gustiness of 55 km/h. The tropical depression was located 225 km east of Borongan City, moving west-southwest at 10 km/h.

Cebu, including Bantayan and Camotes Islands, remains under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1, which indicates strong winds and minimal to minor threats to life and property.

Pagasa also issued a Gale Warning over the eastern seaboard of the Visayas, with waves reaching up to 4.5 to 5.5 meters, making sea travel risky for all vessels.

Wilma is forecast to make landfall over Eastern Visayas between Friday evening and Saturday morning, then traverse the Visayas until Sunday, before emerging over the Sulu Sea.

Despite remaining a tropical depression, Wilma’s expected rainfall could trigger flash floods, river swelling, and landslides in mountainous barangays.

Local officials appealed to the public to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow evacuation orders when issued.

Disaster teams, meanwhile, continue to monitor rivers, waterways, and landslide-prone slopes as rains intensify.(TGP)