The government has activated a national response plan ahead of the expected El Niño rains, placing search-and-rescue teams, evacuation centers and emergency supplies on standby across the country. The Ministry of Interior and National Administration said the response will be coordinated through the National Disaster Operations Centre, with interventions scaled up depending on the severity and spread of the rains. A multi-agency team will also conduct round-the-clock search-and-rescue operations in affected areas.