The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – Aurora District Engineering Office (DEO) is implementing preemptive measures to mitigate the effects of Tropical Storm Kristine, which, as of 7:00 AM today, October 23, 2024, was located approximately 310 km east of Baler and is expected to make landfall over Isabela or northern Aurora tonight or early tomorrow morning.
District Engineer Roderick Andal stated that the province is currently under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 and has directed District Maintenance Engineer Fredelito Mingua to monitor the storm’s potential impact closely.
In preparation, eight units of heavy equipment have been deployed to critical road sections, including Barangay Dianawan Section of the A. Castañeda – Ma. Aurora – San Luis Road in Maria Aurora, Sitio Dimani and Sitio Bicolaoag Sections of the Nueva Ecija – Aurora Road in Villa Aurora, and the Barangay Dinadiawan Section of the Baler-Casiguran Road.
“We have 20 personnel from the Maintenance Section on standby at these road sections to monitor activities, while our command center at the DEO compound has two quick response equipment units and six employees ready for rapid support during the storm,” Andal explained.
PAGASA has also issued Storm Surge Warning No. 5 at 8:00 AM today, indicating surge heights of 2.1 to 3.0 meters in coastal areas including Baler, Casiguran, Dilasag, Dinalungan, Dingalan, Dipaculao, and San Luis, with an estimated impact ranging from moderate to significant, advising evacuation and the cancellation of all marine activities.
SOURCE: DPWH Region 3 Office
