NDRRMC operations center on alert for ‘Ester’

MANILA — National Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) executive director Alexander Pama on Tuesday announced that it has placed its operations center on alert as part of its efforts to monitor the effects of tropical depression “Ester”.

Pama said that this will allow them to continuously monitor and disseminate weather bulletins and forecasts to concerned agencies.

The NDRRMC chief directed the regional disaster risk reduction and management councils via the Office of Civil Defense to “undertake precautionary measures” in their respective areas of responsibility.

Meanwhile, PAGASA weather forecaster Buddy Javier said that LPA near Basco, Batanes has developed into a Tropical Depression and was named “Ester”, the first cyclone for the month of June and the fifth for this year.

According to Javier, they expect two to three tropical cyclones for the month of June to affect the country.

As of 10 a.m. Ester was located at 120 km North of Basco, Batanes (21.6°N, 121.7°E) packed with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometer per hour (kph) near the center. It is forecast to move Northeast at 20 kph.

He added that Ester is not expected to make landfall in any part of the country and with its speed, is expected to be out the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Wednesday headed towards Japan.

Javier said that public storm warning signal number 1 were hoisted Batanes Group of Islands and Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands.

PAGASA said these areas will experience winds of 30 to 60 kph in at least 36 hours.

PAGASA advise residents living in low lying and mountainous areas under Signal no. 1 are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides.

The Estimated rainfall amount is from 5 -15 mm per hour (moderate – heavy) within the 250 km diameter of the Tropical Depression.

Javier said that Ester will enhance the Southwest Monsoon which will bring moderate to heavy rains over Ilocos Region and over the provinces of Zambales and Bataan.

”Residents in these areas and local disaster risk reduction management councils concerned are advised to take all the necessary precautionary measures against possible flashfloods and landslides,” PAGASA said.

Meanwhile, small fishing vessels are advised not to venture out into the northern and western seaboards of Luzon.