At least 532 families or 1,789 individuals were temporarily sheltered in evacuation centers while over 1,500 passengers were stranded in various ports in four regions as Tropical Storm “Quinta” dumped rains and inundated parts of Southern Luzon and Visayas, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported Sunday, Oct. 25.
Based on initial information, NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Timbal said the evacuated individuals were from Guinobatan, Albay, and Canaman, Camarines Sur in Bicol Region (Region 5) as municipal officials conducted a pre-emptive evacuation ahead of the expected landfall of Quinta either over Catanduanes, Albay, or Sorsogon late Sunday afternoon or evening.
Meanwhile, 662 individuals were stranded and taking shelter in sea ports in the Bicol Region, he added.
In Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, or Region 4A), 243 passengers were stuck in ports and given assistance as sea voyage was prohibited due to bad weather.
“Pinapayuhan ang mga maglalakbay na pansamantalang itigil ang byahe upang maiwasan ang pagdami ng stranded sa mga pantalan (Travelers are advised to temporarily postpone their trips to prevent the influx of stranded passengers at ports),” Timbal told reporters.
In Mimaropa (Region 4B), all trips of shipping vessels were cancelled in Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, and Romblon where tropical cyclone warning signals were raised.
In Eastern Visayas (Region 8), 668 passengers were stranded in various sea ports while Calbayog City Airport and Catarman Airport were rendered non-operational due to bad weather.
Further, authorities conducted clearing operations along the Calbayog-Catarman Road in Barangay Nabang, Calbayog City after a landslide occurred.
A landslide was also monitored along Maharlika Highway in Barangay Jiaan in Niabong, Samar. Both roads were already passable to motorists as of Sunday noon.
Meanwhile, heavy rains and punishing winds damaged a portion of the Caraycay Bridge in Barangay Caraycay in Naval, Biliran.
The national road in Purok 5, Barangay Mercedes in Catbalogan City was heavily flooded, making it unavailable to all kinds of vehicles.
Currently, Timbal said they have yet to receive reports of any casualty related to typhoon Quinta.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) located the eye of Quinta at 180 km east of Virac, Catanduanes around 10 a.m.
Timbal alerted the public as heavy rains brought about by Quinta might cause flash floods or landslides in Bicol Region, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and parts of Northern Samar.
Possible light to moderate damage to structures and vegetation might occur in these areas as well.
Meanwhile, parts of Metro Manila, Central Luzon (Region 3), Eastern Samar, Samar, and Biliran may also experience flash floods or landslides as the trough of Quinta brought rains with gusty winds in these areas, Timbal said.
Meanwhile, the rest of the country may experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms in the next 24 hours, he added.