go777 OCD: 3 dead, 2 missing due to rains triggered by ITCZ, shear line

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MANILA, Philippines — Three persons died while two others reported missing following rains triggered by the shear line and the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) reported on Thursday.

OCD Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno said the two weather systems affected the Davao and Caraga regions in Mindanao, Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) and Cagayan in late December 2024.

“May kabuuan na po tayo as of December 30 na tatlong namatay actually. May dalawang nawawala,” Nepomuceno said in a Teleradyo interview.

(As of December 30, we have a total of three fatalities and two missing persons.)

Nepomuceno stressed the need to raise the level of preparedness as communities still seem confused with the terms shear line and ITCZ.

“Maganda na po ang paghahanda natin eh, pero pagdating dito sa shear line, parang kailangan po… hindi parang, kailangan po natin paangatin ang level ng paghahanda dahil parang nagkakagulatan po sa mga komunidad,” he pointed out.

(Our preparations are good, but when it comes to the shear line, we need to elevate the level of preparedness because there seems to be confusion in the communities.)

Nepomuceno also said they are in talks with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) to explore ways to help the public better prepare for rains.

“Kasi ginawa nating shear line lang or intertropical convergence zone or LPA lang, subalit nakita naman natin ang mga nasirang bayan,” he pointed out.

(Because we only considered it as a shear line, intertropical convergence zone, or low-pressure area, but we have seen the towns that were damaged.)

“Huling ulat sa amin noong December 30, mahigit 650 na mga bayan ang partially and fully damaged sa iba’t ibang rehiyon. So mapaminsala pa rin talaga kahit shear line lang po ‘yan,” Nepomuceno added.

The energy arm of tycoon Ramon Ang gained victory after the Supreme Court rejected “with finality” the energy regulator’s plea against the termination of the supply contract between San Miguel Corp. and Manila Electric Co. (Meralco).

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is expecting the launch of a direct Manila-Paris flights before the year ends.

(The latest report on December 30 shows that over 650 towns were partially and fully damaged in various regions. So, it was still devastating even though it was just a shear line.)

He further said the OCD is ramping up its implementation of preemptive and forced evacuations in local government units.

Pagasa earlier reported that the shear line, ITCZ, and the northeast monsoon or “amihan” will continue to rain in many parts of the country on Thursday.

According to the state weather bureau, the ITCZ will still bring rain to the Visayas, Mindanao, and the eastern section of Luzon.

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Meanwhile, Metro Manila and other Luzon areas will experience overcast skies and rains due to the shear line.

The northeast monsoon is also expected to bring cloudy skies and rains in Ilocos Nortego777, Cagayan Valley, and Cordillera Administrative Region.