DESPITE heavy rains expected from “Betty,” the typhoon had minimal effects on areas in Luzon and in the Visayas, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said yesterday.
Betty, as of 4 p.m. yesterday, was some 315 km east of Basco, Batanes. It is projected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility late Thursday or early Friday, the same period when it is forecast to weaken into a severe tropical storm.
Seven areas were under wind signals as of yesterday afternoon, down from 18 on Monday.
“Based on the report that we received, its effect is very minimal compared to what we have projected a few days ago,” NDRRMC spokesman Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said.
“We were expecting heavy rains starting yesterday (Monday) in Region 1 (Ilocos region), CAR (Cordillera Administrative Region) and Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) but it didn’t happen.
The heavy rains we’re expecting did not come,” he said.
Alejandro also said only 5,488 persons were evacuated, mostly in the Western Visayas region, due to the southwest monsoon that was enhanced by Betty.
“As to the damage, it’s really very minimal and we’re happy that’s the case,” he said.
Alejandro said a warehouse collapsed due to Betty but described the facility as “very old.”
The warehouse at the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority in Santa Ana town in Cagayan collapsed on Monday due to strong winds.
Asked if the worst is over, Alejandro said: “I think so.” He noted that Betty is about to start moving away from the Batanes.
“I hope it (effects of Betty) stays this way, I think we’re over it (worst),” said Alejandro.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in a bulletin yesterday afternoon, said Betty was moving northward slowly, packing maximum sustained winds of 150 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph.
Under Signal No. 2 was Batanes while under Signal No. 1 were the northern and eastern portions of Isabela; Apayao; eastern portion of Ilocos Norte; northern portion of Kalinga; northeastern portion of Abra; and Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands.
PAGASA said Betty is forecast to “generally move slowly” northward later until today.
“Afterwards, the typhoon will gradually accelerate north northeastward on Thursday and northeastward on Friday, bringing its center over the waters southeast of the Ryukyu Islands,” PAGASA said.
PAGASA said Betty may also further weaken into a tropical storm late Friday or early Saturday.
Betty was forecast to be some 320 km east of Itbayat, Batanes this morning and 365 km east northeast of Itbayat this afternoon.
EVACUEES
Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba said about 940 residents from Calayan, Santa Ana and Gonzaga towns have evacuated. He said most of the residents have returned to their homes as of yesterday due to improved weather.
Batanes provincial administrator Justinne Socito said 29 residents from the towns of Basco, Mahatao, and Ivana have been evacuated because their houses are made of light materials.
He said the province experienced moderate to strong winds and moderate to heavy rains.
Betty caused power interruption in Batanes because the supplier of fuel, intended to power the province, took shelter in Pangasinan, he also said. As a result, the province decided to cut power from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m to save on fuel.
Socito also reported that there is “total blackout” in the island town of Sabtang.
“That’s our problem now. Until the weather condition improves, we will continue with the scheduled brownout, power interruption in the province,” said Socito.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said at least 65 families composed of 390 persons were displaced in Cagayan Valley while 815 families or 3,258 individuals in Western Visayas were displaced due to heavy rains and flooding caused by the southwest monsoon rains,
The DSWD said 78 families or 467 persons from 10 barangays in Region II (Cagayan Valley) were affected by Betty including 42 families (251 persons) who are staying in eight evacuation centers, and the 23 families (139 persons) who are staying with relatives or friends.
Family food packs and non-food relief items worth about P99,000 worth of have been provided by the department to the affected families.
The DSWD also said 815 families or 3,258 persons were displaced in Region VI (Eastern Visayas) and are staying in 16 evacuation centers. The DSWD has already them P484,972 worth of assistance. — With Jocelyn Montemayor
