TYPHOON Saudel could turn into a super typhoon before it enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) today, Aug. 24, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (Pagasa) said on Sunday.
Based on its latest forecast track, “Saudel” could intensify and reach super typhoon category before it enters the country.
The storm is not expected to make landfall and will exit PAR on Tuesday, Pagasa said.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Disaster Response Command Center on Sunday announced a blue alert for Saudel after a red alert was downgraded Thursday night, according to DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao.
A blue alert means watching weather tracks and local conditions closely; relief goods and family food packs (FFPs) are ready in warehouses; and DSWD teams talk with local leaders to plan quick aid if needed.
As of Saturday, the DSWD said it has an inventory of more than 3.7 million boxes of FFPs in strategic hubs, spokes and last-mile areas nationwide.
Included in the stockpiles are over 369,000 boxes of FFPs available at the Luzon Disaster Resource Center in Pasay City; more than 512,000 boxes of FFPs in the Visayas Disaster Resource Center in Mandaue City; and over 174,000 boxes of FFPs at the Mindanao Disaster Resource Center in Butuan City, which is under the supervision of DSWD Field Office Caraga.
The DSWD also has a standby fund of at least P667 million.
Dumlao ensured the quick deployment of the necessary logistical requirements by DSWD field offices to affected areas.
