MANILA – In response to a series of offshore earthquakes near Ilocos Sur, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) is pushing for the inclusion of tsunami scenarios in the upcoming Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill. This move aims to bolster public readiness for potential tsunami events. OCD chief Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno emphasized the importance of this addition during an emergency preparedness meeting held on Tuesday. He highlighted that 186 earthquakes, ranging from magnitudes 1.8 to 5.0, have been recorded off the coast of Ilocos Sur. Nepomuceno warned of the risk of a tsunami, especially from earthquakes of magnitude 6.5 or higher along the Manila Trench. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) is actively working on tsunami modeling to predict possible inundation and wave heights. A briefing on six significant trenches around the Philippines is scheduled for January 2025. Nepomuceno has directed all OCD regional offices to educate local government units on using HazardHunterPH maps and to review their contingency plans for emergencies. This directive comes as heavy to intense rains are expected in Eastern Visayas, Bicol, Calabarzon, and Mimaropa, with moderate to heavy rains forecast for Metro Manila and surrounding areas. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the shearline is impacting Southern Luzon and Eastern Visayas, while the northeast monsoon affects the rest of Luzon. Nepomuceno urged communities to stay informed and follow safety protocols to minimize risks from these ongoing natural events. PAGASA’s latest bulletin predicts heavy to intense rains in Aurora, Quezon, and Camarines Norte over the next three days, and moderate to heavy rains in Metro Manila, Bulacan, the rest of Calabarzon, Albay, Sorosogon, Masbate, Marinduque, Romblon, Oriental Mindoro, and Northern Samar for the next two days.
Tsunami Scenario to be Added to National Earthquake Drills Following Ilocos Sur Quakes
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