The United States Geological Survey (USGS) registered the earthquake, which occured at 11:49 AM 72 kilometers (44 miles) North of Dumaguete in Negros and 80 km (49 miles) West Southwest of Cebu, at 6.8 Magnitude.
Philippine officials however said the quake in the Visayas region was measured at 6.9 magnitude and Tectonic in origin.
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has raised the Tsunami alert to Level 2. Residents in the coastal areas of Visayas and some parts of Mindanao are “advised to be on alert for unusual waves.”
 |
| Image Credit: allvoices.com |
Reports said Tsunami Alert Level 2 means there’s no evacuation yet in coastal areas, but authorities are studying the possibility of declaring Alert Level No. 3.
“People are advised to stay away from the shoreline,” “should not go to coast to watch the tsunami,” and those “whose houses are very near coastal areas of Negros and Cebu islands are strongly advised to be watchful,” the NDRRMC stated in a Bulletin issued at 12:31 p.m. Monday.
Phivolcs director Renato Solidum reportedly said the following intensities were felt in the following areas:
- Intensity 7 - Dumaguete City; Villahermoso, Negros Oriental
- Intensity 6 - La Carlota City and La Castellana, Negros Occidental; Argao, Cebu
- Intensity 5 - Roxas City; Dao and Ivisan, Capiz; Iloilo City; Ayungon, Negros Oriental; Kanlaon City; Lapu-lapu City; Guimaras; Cebu City; San Carlos, City; Bacolod City; Sagay City; Tagbilaran City; Candoni, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental
- Intensity 4 - San Jose de Buenavista, Pandan, Anini-y, Patnungon, Antique; Kalibo, Aklan; Sipalay, Negros Occidental; Dipolog City; Ormoc City
- Intensity 3 - Butuan City, Agusan del Norte; Legaspi City, Albay; Tacloban City; Catbalogan; Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte; Masbate, Masbate; Cagayan de Oro City
- Intensity 2 - Cabid-an, Sorsogon; Borongan, Eastern Samar; Mambajao, Camiguin
- Intensity 1 - Pagadian City
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), at least 7 persons were reported dead including a child from Tayasan who was killed after a wall fell on him.
 |
| Image Credit: bbc.co.uk |
Of the total number of casualties, four were from Guihulngan City, two from Tayasan, and one from Jimalalud, all in the province of Negros Oriental.
Phivolcs canceled the Tsunami alert in Visayas and Mindanao as of 2:30 PM, according to Malacañang.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda in a statement said President Benigno Aquino III “has been informed and is being constantly updated of the situation” and “already tasked PHIVOLCS to monitor the affected areas for further seismic activity.”
“DSWD personnel are already on standby to lend support and relief to affected citizens,” Lacierda stated.
He said people in affected areas are implored “to remain vigilant and take the necessary safety precautions.”
“Let us cooperate with government agencies, allow them to do their work, and remain calm and watchful,” Lacierda added.
Meanwhile, NDRRMC chief Usec. Benito Ramos in an interview advised residents in the affected areas not to return to their homes yet and instead stay in open areas due to aftershocks that may occur within the next several hours.
source: CoolBuster
Posted in: 
0 comments:
Post a Comment