The Philippine National Police (PNP) has instructed all police chiefs and unit commanders to implement preemptive public safety measures and disaster readiness protocols in anticipation of heavy rainfall and potential flooding linked to Typhoon Saudel and associated weather systems.
PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. directed regional and local units to continuously monitor Saudel’s trajectory while coordinating with local government units to prepare for possible preemptive evacuations in vulnerable areas.
“Our chiefs of police and other unit commanders in the affected areas were tasked to monitor the situation in their areas and maintain strong coordination with the local government units for a unified and systematic response to ensure the safety of the people,” Nartatez said.
National police personnel have remained on heightened disaster response alert following weeks of monsoon rains and tropical cyclone activity that triggered severe flooding and landslips across multiple regions.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Saudel is forecast to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Monday, August 24. Weather forecasters warned that the tropical cyclone could strengthen into a super typhoon before reaching the country’s zone.
As of 5 a.m., PAGASA located Saudel 1,660 kilometers east-northeast of Extreme Northern Luzon, tracking maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour and gusts reaching up to 215 kilometers per hour.
Upon entering PAR, the storm will receive the domestic designation “Obet” or “Pilandok,” contingent on whether it or another monitored tropical depression crosses the boundary first.
Nartatez affirmed that police operations will extend beyond emergency deployment to actively secure residents in high-risk zones alongside local authorities.