MANILA – The Philippine Red Cross has placed its disaster response teams on standby for rapid deployment and preparedness stocks ready for dispatch, as required. The first typhoon expected to make landfall since the beginning of the Philippines’ annual rainy season this year, Typhoon Rammasun (international name Glenda) is currently advancing from the east towards the country with maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near its centre and wind gusts of up to 150 kph. It is expected to first strike the Albay-Sorsogon area in the Bicol region in eastern Luzon on the evening of Tuesday, 15 July, and maintains its path across the northern Philippines before exiting into the sea northwest of Zambales. At its worst, Rammasun  is expected to bring widespread torrential rain and destructive winds, triggering flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas, flooding in lower-lying areas, and possible storm surges along the coastline.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has been on high alert since the typhoon was sighted approaching the Philippines. The national society remains in close coordination with the national disaster management authorities both at headquarters and chapter levels, especially in the Bicol, MIMAROPA1 , CALABARZON and Central Luzon regions. At its operations centre in the national headquarters, PRC maintains 24/7 monitoring of the typhoon, keeping the chapters likely to be affected on constant alert with the latest information available. Relief supplies, equipment and personnel to be deployed for immediate response as necessary, are already in place. The Red Cross 143 volunteers are also on alert, with PRC volunteers across the country on standby for deployment should more assistance be needed in the areas likely to be affected.

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