Cebuanos told: No need to panic amid tsunami advisory

Local

AMID public concern over tsunami warnings issued in several coastal provinces in the Philippines, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) has assured Cebuanos that the province remains safe and unaffected.

Retired Colonel Dennis Francis Pastor, head of the PDRRMO, said Cebu is not under any tsunami threat following the magnitude 8.7 earthquake that struck early Wednesday morning, July 30, off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia.

The earthquake prompted the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) to issue an updated tsunami advisory for 22 provinces facing the Pacific Ocean.

In a phone interview with MyTV Cebu, Pastor emphasized that there is no reason for panic in Cebu.

“Oh no. Ayaw tawn. Ayaw—wala gyud angay ikahadlok. The local DRRMOs are already informed,” he said in a phone interview, referring to the local disaster risk reduction and management offices across the province.

Pastor explained that Cebu’s geographical position in the central part of the Visayas region serves as a natural barrier against tsunamis.

He clarified that while tsunamis primarily affect coastal areas directly facing the Pacific Ocean, such as in Luzon and Mindanao, Cebu is geographically insulated from such seismic sea waves.

He noted, however, that the province remains vulnerable to storm surges during severe weather disturbances such as strong typhoons.

A storm surge is a coastal flood caused by strong winds and low atmospheric pressure pushing seawater inland. Unlike tsunamis, storm surges build up gradually and can usually be predicted through weather forecasts.

“In Cebu, what we may experience are storm surges, and only during strong typhoons,” Pastor said.

Among the areas in Cebu identified as most at risk for storm surges are island municipalities in the Camotes group of islands, includes Poro, Pilar, San Francisco, and Tudela, as well as those in Bantayan Island, including the towns of Bantayan, Santa Fe, and Madridejos.

These low-lying areas are closely monitored by local DRRMOs whenever a storm enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility, Pastor added.

Earlier in the day, Phivolcs issued a revised advisory, warning that tsunami waves of less than one meter in height may reach the coastal areas of provinces fronting the Pacific Ocean.

Based on updated data from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol said the initial tsunami waves were expected to arrive between 1:20 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30.

Phivolcs identified the affected provinces as follows: Batanes Group of Islands, Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Sur, and Davao Occidental.

Residents living along shorelines in these areas were advised to move farther inland and stay away from beaches and coastal zones until Phivolcs cancels the advisory.

Bacolcol also warned the public to be alert for unusual waves and strong sea currents, as tsunamis could arrive in multiple surges and pose a threat even hours after the initial wave.

Phivolcs emphasized that these tsunami waves, while relatively low in height, still carry strong currents capable of endangering lives and damaging property near the shore.

Meanwhile, the PDRRMO said it continues to coordinate with local governments to ensure readiness during both seismic and weather-related emergencies.

Pastor reminded the public to rely only on official sources of information and avoid spreading unverified claims that may cause unnecessary panic.

He said local DRRMOs have been briefed and are ready to respond in case of any developments.(MyTVCebu)