Phones abuzz with flood warnings

MANILA, Philippines —   With Severe Tropical Storm Kristine affecting Luzon and other parts of the country, rain and flood warnings are being sent through text messages by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

“Orange rainfall warning in Cavite, Laguna and Quezon. Imminent threat of heavy rains, floods and landslides,” a text message yesterday read.

An orange rainfall warning was also raised in Metro Manila, Bulacan and Rizal.

Alert warnings are mandated under Republic Act 10639, enacted in June 2014. The law requires telecommunications service providers to send free mobile alerts in the event of natural and man-made disasters and calamities.

“In the event of an impending tropical storm, typhoon, tsunami or other calamities, mobile phone service providers are mandated to send out alerts at regular intervals,” the Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act states.

“The alerts shall consist of up-to-date information from relevant agencies and shall be sent directly to the mobile phone subscribers located near and within the affected areas,” it declared.