Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Head Alfredo Baloran, in an interview on Monday, said that Dabawenyos better stay hydrated and avoid direct exposure to the sun as the city’s weather conditions transition from La Niña to El Niño.
“Gina-recommend namo kung makita namo nga taas kaayo ang heat index is dapat ang tao dili mag-stay directly sa heat sa adlaw and keep on hydrating gyud dapat para malikayan nato ang heatstroke. (We recommend that each time we see that the heat index is very high, one should not stay directly under the heat of the sun and keep on hydrating to avoid heatstroke,” Baloran said.
He said that while the city is experiencing hot weather conditions the effect of low pressure in nearby areas can still be felt in the city.
“Bisan naa nata sa El Niño, based sa projections nga gihatag sa Pagasa, makasinati gihapon ta og localized thunderstorms so meaning naa gyud gihapo’y pag-ulan-ulan (Even when we are now in the El Nino season, based on the projections given by the Pagasa we will still experience localized thunderstorms so meaning there will still be rain),” Baloran said.
Baloran said that apart from rains, thunderstorms, and the hot weather Dabawenyos should be prepared for an earthquake, in fact, their office also continues to relay to the public information on earthquakes and what to do after their onset.
He said that the Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) last week was well participated in by local government offices, and private offices and establishments.
Baloran added that while minor hairline cracks were noted in some schools in Davao City and a health center after the magnitude 5 plus earthquake hit Davao de Oro last week and was felt in lower intensities in Davao city, the City Engineer’s Office (CEO) has already confirmed after the assessment that these buildings are safe for occupancy and so far, not a single building was recommended to be closed. CIO
