Residents living along the coastal areas mentioned in PHIVOLCS’ tsunami warning are being urged to flee “until further notice,” following the magnitude 7.5 earthquake that jolted Manay, Davao Oriental, on Friday, October 10.
“We urge everybody to cooperate and execute evacuation procedures. These are the initial information that we get. We urge these coastal communities to be on alert and immediately evacuate to higher grounds until further notice,” the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said in a video statement.
RH Edniel Parrosa reported that the OCD alerted the residents in the following areas to evacuate immediately:
- Eastern Samar
- Dinagat Islands
- Davao Oriental
- Southern Leyte
- Surigao Del Norte
- Leyte
- Surigao Del Sur
In a video message, the OCD advised residents to evacuate to higher grounds and expect the first wave to occur between 9:43 AM and 11:43 AM on Friday, October 10.
Although PHIVOLCS released a forecast time, the OCD emphasized that the advisory remains in effect, even if no large waves or visible signs of a tsunami are observed later this afternoon. It also added that the absence of such signs does not guarantee safety in the affected coastal areas.
The OCD will continue to gather data from the powerful quake in Davao Oriental.
Parrosa reported that the quake was not only felt in the Davao area, but also in Eastern Visayas and parts of the Bicol Region.
