Northern Samar Placed on Blue Alert as ‘Inday’ Prompts Heightened Disaster Preparations

Posted on July 8, 2026 at 12:06 pm

CATARMAN, Northern Samar — The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) has recommended placing Northern Samar today, Tuesday, July 7, under Blue Alert Status as Super Typhoon Inday threatens to bring heavy rains, rough seas, and possible flooding to the province.

Northern Samar, a largely coastal province in Eastern Visayas with more than 600,000 residents, is made up of 24 municipalities, many of which are located along the Pacific seaboard. Its geography characterized by coastal communities, low-lying areas, major river systems, and mountainous terrain makes the province vulnerable to typhoons, flooding, and rain-induced landslides.

The recommendation to activate Blue Alert came after the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Scenario Generation Team conducted a Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) on the possible effects of Super Typhoon Inday.

The meeting was led by PDRRMO Chief Rei Josiah Echano under the directive of Governor Harris Ongchuan.

While the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported a low possibility of direct landfall, Echano said the size and strength of Inday could still affect Northern Samar by enhancing the southwest monsoon or habagat.

He said the province’s eastern coastline remains at risk from dangerous sea conditions, while communities in low-lying and mountainous areas are being monitored for possible flooding and landslides.

“Even without a direct hit, we have to prepare because the effects of a large weather system can still reach the province,” Echano said.

The PDRA team identified several areas of concern across Northern Samar’s 24 municipalities, including strong winds that could create hazardous sea conditions for fishermen and small sea vessels, prolonged rainfall that may cause rivers to rise, and saturated soil that could trigger landslides in vulnerable areas.

Echano said the activation of Blue Alert places the province’s disaster response operations on a higher level of readiness.

“Placing the province on Blue Alert means we are moving from passive monitoring to active, heightened readiness. Half of our response clusters are now fully manned and operational at the EOC around the clock. We are ensuring that the gap between risk assessment and field response is completely closed,” he said.

Under the Blue Alert status, the Provincial EOC and Municipal DRRM Offices have been instructed to continue monitoring weather conditions, maintain communication lines, and prepare rescue equipment, heavy machinery, and medical teams for possible deployment.

The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office has also been directed to secure food packs and non-food relief items for communities that may require assistance.

The PDRRMO reminded fisherfolk and operators of small sea craft, particularly those along the Pacific coast, to strictly follow the “No Sail” policy due to the expected deterioration of sea conditions.

Residents in flood-prone and landslide-prone areas were urged to remain alert, monitor official updates, and cooperate with local authorities should preemptive evacuation become necessary.

Echano said early preparation and coordination among government agencies and communities remain crucial in reducing the possible impact of the typhoon on Northern Samar.

Photo Courtesy: PDRRMO Northern Samar