In response to a magnitude 8.7 earthquake off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia, preemptive evacuations were carried out along the coastal communities of Poblacion in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur, to mitigate the risk of a minor tsunami. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) issued a tsunami advisory, cautioning that waves under one meter in height could affect Pacific-facing coastal areas as early as Wednesday afternoon, July 30, with expected arrival times between 1:20 pm and 2:40 pm.

Alex Arana, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer, confirmed that residents, especially those from Barangay Rosario, have been relocated to higher ground at the Provincial Sports Complex. These individuals will remain in safe zones until authorities declare the threat has passed. The coastline in Tandag City, spanning from Barangay Rosario to Barangay San Antonio, includes communities positioned at elevated locations, offering natural safety buffers. Meanwhile, local disaster councils across Surigao del Sur’s coastal towns continue to monitor the situation vigilantly and stand ready to respond to any developments.

As a precautionary measure, classes in schools located near coastal zones were suspended early Wednesday morning to prevent any risk to students and staff.

Governor Johnny T. Pimentel, chairing the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), issued directives urging all mayors throughout the province to strictly enforce safety protocols to protect residents along vulnerable shorelines. In his advisory, Pimentel underscored the priority of achieving zero casualties amid the seismic event and its potential aftermath. He instructed local government units to activate Emergency Preparedness Protocols (EPP), maintain round-the-clock Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs), and provide continuous updates to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office as well as the Office of Civil Defense Caraga for coordinated support.

These proactive measures reflect the heightened state of readiness by Surigao del Sur officials to ensure the safety and well-being of their constituents in the face of natural hazards originating thousands of kilometers away.