LINGAYEN: The La Union Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) has initiated the deployment of some of the 16 teams prepared for Typhoon Nika, known internationally as Toraji. The teams are ready to provide emergency medical services, conduct search and rescue operations, and manage telecommunications for emergency responses. According to Philippines News Agency, the La Union PDRRMO has mobilized teams specifically for 911 emergency telecommunications and monitoring, while keeping the remaining teams on standby for support to local government units. The rescue equipment prepared includes an ambulance, a high-lift off-road rescue vehicle, a rescue truck, a service vehicle, a jetski, three rubber boats, and 22 pieces of heavy equipment designated for clearing operations. As of 8 p.m. on Sunday, the La Union PDRRMO elevated the alert status to red at its Emergency Operations Center in anticipation of Typhoon Nika. Governor Raphaelle Veronica Ortega-David has suspended classes across a ll levels in both public and private institutions on Monday, as the province remains under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2. The Ilocos Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) has instructed local disaster risk reduction and management offices (LDRRMO) in the region to execute precautionary measures and necessary actions against potential storm surges. Areas such as Bacarra, Badoc, Currimao, Paoay, Pasuquin, and Laoag City in Ilocos Norte, along with several municipalities in Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan, are forecasted to experience storm surges ranging from one to two meters. Additionally, Bangui, Burgos, and Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte are predicted by the Office of Civil Defense to face storm surges between 2.1 to 3 meters.