The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Tuesday said it is preparing at Typhoon Yolanda level for a powerful storm that is still outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). According to Edgar Posadas, NDRRMC spokesman, Civil Defense Administrator Ricardo Jalad instructed the council to make preparations for Typhoon Mangkhut similar to those it adopted when Yolanda devastated the country in 2013. Areas affected by Ompong would be the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Ilocos Norte, Batanes and the Babuyan Group of Islands. Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said rice and corn that are ready for harvest may be affected if the powerful typhoon heads for Northern Luzon. Also, 483,000 hectares of corn valued at P6.3 billion may be destroyed by Typhoon Mangkhut.

Source: Manila Times September 11, 2018 16:18 UTC