The Antique Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) is closely monitoring the situation around the province, which is experiencing rains due to the southwest monsoon.

“We are now on Blue Alert status because of the southwest monsoon rain that induces thunderstorms today,” PDRRM officer Broderick Train said in an interview Tuesday.

He said the Blue Alert status means that PDRRMO staffs and their municipal counterparts are on standby for any eventuality.

“So far, we have not yet monitored the rise of water levels in major river systems that could cause flooding,” he added.

Train said they are, however, cautioning the public against any untoward incident with the continued light to moderate rain shower.

“The public should really have to be alert especially so that the province is experiencing a complex hazard, which is the southwest monsoon rain and the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19),” he said.

Train said with the complex hazards, the people should have to be extra cautious so they would not fall as victims.

Meanwhile, Train said the Philippine Coast Guard Antique Station reported that there is no cancellation of the operations of the fishing boats and sea vessels despite the rain.

“We have no cancellations for both the fishing and sea vessels because there is no storm signal in the area,” he said.

Sea vessels plying from Lipata Port to Mararison in Culasi town, Libertad to the island municipality of Caluya, and from Caluya to Semirara island still continue their operations despite the moderate rain.

But Train said they are reminding especially the fishermen to observe safety.

As part of its regular activity, Train said the PCG conducts information dissemination drives among the fishermen and residents living along the coastal areas so they are aware of what to do during rainy days and whenever there is a storm coming. (PNA)