FIVE people have died and over 420,000 affected by the combined effects of tropical cyclone “Crising” and the southwest monsoon or “habagat.”
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported four deaths from Crising (international name “Wipha”) — one in Mainit town in Surigao del Norte, who was hit by a fallen tree.
The NDRRMC reported three other deaths in other provinces but said these are still being validated.
The three fatalities — once each in Camiguin, Lanao del Norte and Davao Oriental — were hit by falling debris, said Diego Mariano, NCRRMC deputy spokesperson.
“We are determining if they are directly related to the southwest monsoon or Crising,” said Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, officer-in-charge of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) of Cagayan reported one dead. The body of the drowning victim, Ferdinand Duruin, was retrieved on Saturday in Barangay Damurog in Alcala town, while his companion, Juanito Duruin, remained missing as of yesterday, the PDRRMO said.
Crising on Friday passed close to Cagayan where it was earlier forecast to make landfall. It exited the Philippine area of responsibility on Saturday as a severe tropical storm.
The NDRRMC reported four people missing — three in Western Visayas region and one in the Mimaropa region.
In a report, the NDRRMC said 132,835 families or 420,355 individuals were affected in 16 regions as of 3 p.m. yesterday.
Of the number, 28,552 families (110,332 individuals) have been displaced. The number, however, was down to 13,458 families (48,098 individuals) as of yesterday afternoon.
Of the still-displaced population, 7,131 families (23,786 persons) are housed in 377 evacuation centers while 6,327 families (24,312 individuals) are staying with relatives or friends.
Alejandro said 262 of 673 flooded areas across the country, mostly in Central Luzon, remained under water yesterday.
PAGASA weather special Ana Clauren Jorda said many areas in Luzon, including Metro Manila, and the Visayas will continue to experience rains in the next several days due to the habagat.
Jorda said a cloud cluster may develop into a low pressure area today, and further into a tropical depression “on Tuesday and onwards.”
Alejandro said the NDRRMC will remain on red alert due to the possible development of the low pressure area which is also expected to enhance the habagat.
“This means that while we are recovering from Crising, we will continue preparing for the potential tropical cyclone,” said Alejandro.
Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., before leaving for his three-day official trip to the United States, to ensure government provides the needs of those affected, especially those in evacuation centers.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) gave a higher figure of individuals affected by Crising.
Data from the DSWD’s Disaster Response Operations Management, Information, and Communication (DROMIC) showed that 151,012 families (523,686 persons) were affected in 1,134 barangays in Regions I (Ilocos), II (Cagayan Valley), III (Central Luzon), IV-A (Calabarzon), IV-B (Mimaropa), V (Bicol), VI (Western Visayas), VII (Central Visayas), VIII (eastern Visayas), IX (Zamboanga Peninsula), X (Northern Mindanao), XI (Davao), XII (Soccsksargen), Caraga, Cordillera Administrative (CAR) and Metro Manila.
About P38.4 million worth of assistance has been provided to the affected families including P37 million worth of food and non-food items from the DSWD, P943,292 from different the local government units (LGUs), and P5,310 from other partners. – With Jocelyn Reyes
