The National Electrification Administration (NEA) has advised all electric cooperatives (ECs) in the country to prepare for the possible effects of Tropical Depression “Falcon.”
In an advisory issued Monday, the NEA Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (DRRMD) directed the ECs to “take the appropriate contingency measures” to mitigate the potential impacts on their electric service to their consumers.
The power distribution utilities were also advised by the NEA to activate the Emergency Response Organization.
The power distribution utilities were also advised by the NEA to “activate (your) Emergency Response Organization accordingly when the need arises to implement without delay the appropriate emergency response plans.”
The state-run agency also urged power co-ops, especially those that will be affected by the tropical depression, to continue monitoring weather updates from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
According to the state weather bureau, Tropical Depression “Falcon” is expected to intensify into a tropical storm within 24 hours.
Furthermore, the weather disturbance is expected to closely approach or make landfall over Babuyan-Batanes Islands area Wednesday evening and may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Friday, July 19.
PAGASA has raised Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal (TCWS) number 1 over Northern Isabela, Cagayan (including Babuyan Islands) and Batanes.
At 10 a.m. Tuesday, the center of Tropical Depression “Falcon” was estimated based on all available data at 510 km East of Tuguegarao, Cagayan.
It has maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometer per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph. It is moving west at 30 kph.