Kalinga prepares for potential impacts of Typhoon Ofel 2 days after being disrupted by Typhoon Nika

Tabuk City, Kalinga - Just two days after the disruption brought by the Typhoon Nika in Cordillera, Kalinga and other provinces in the region are yet again preparing for another weather phenomenon - the super typhoon "Ofel".

Ofel was forecast by the PAG-ASA to bring torrential rains and heavy winds in Northern Luzon, more so in the Cordillera region.

Kalinga is among the provinces in the region that will be hit by the typhoon and is under signal number 2 as of November 14, 2024.

In response to this, the Kalinga Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has closely monitored the situation anew, ensuring that response teams are on standby in places to address the needs of affected communities.

Local authorities in the entire province are determined to be ahead of the storm and minimize its effects since the gap between Typhoon Nika and Typhoon Ofel onslaught has not yet been a wide span of time.

If Typhoon Nika has already disrupted various areas in the province through huge landslides, floods, power interruptions, and damages to agriculture and infrastructure, the local officials emphasize that preparation is the key to Typhoon Ofel.

One of the province’s officials, Vice Governor Jocel Baac, explained during his interview with the Radyo Pilipinas 837 Tabuk that despite the relatively mild winds currently being experienced in the province, the public should always be prepared for the potential impact of the typhoon.

"Bagamat hindi masyadong malakas ang hangin na nararanasan sa ngayon, kailangan parin na laging handa at magdasal para sa kaligtasan ng lahat,” he said.

 The local disaster management teams are coordinating with the local barangay officials on the implementation of the evacuation plan, especially in landslide- and  flood-prone areas.

More importantly, evacuation and relief supplies are on hand, while the public is encouraged to keep updated about Typhoon Ofel and evacuate if necessary.