At least two people were confirmed dead, four were missing, while more than 9,000 others were affected by the tail-end of a frontal system (TEFS) that has brought moderate to heavy rainfall in parts of Luzon and Visayas, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported Sunday.
NDRRMC Executive Director Ricardo Jalad said the two fatalities and four missing all came from Bicol region where many areas were flooded and hit by landslides. The identities of the casualties have yet to be verified.
The two fatalities were identified as Ceejay Raro, 3, of Sitio Budal Mangawayan, Canaman town, Camarines Sur, and Jonel Monterde Medinilla, 28, of Sitio Dangray, Abucay, Pilar town, in Sorsogon, a Philippine News Agency report said.
One of the fatalities drowned when a boat capsized and the body was found by the authorities on New Year's Day in Barangay Dangla, Garchitorena, Camarines Sur.
The body of the second fatality was washed away by the flood and retrieved on Jan. 2 in a flooded rice field in Sitio Dangray, Barangay Abucay, Sorsogon.
A total of 2,409 families or 9,158 individuals were evacuated in 70 barangays in Mimaropa (Occidental and Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan or Region 4B), Bicol region (Region 5), and Western Visayas (Region 6) due to the threat of flashflood and landslide.
Most affected was the Bicol region with 21 flooded areas in Camarines Sur and Sorsogon. Three areas in Palawan and Oriental Mindoro in Mimaropa were also inundated as well as one barangay in Capiz in Western Visayas.
In Calapan, Oriental Mindoro, a private boat, MBCA Marable Line, capsized in the waters off Barangay Silonay last Dec. 30.
Jalad said the five persons aboard the boat were rescued on New Year’s Eve.
At least 19 roads and bridges in Isabela and Cagayan in Region 2; Oriental Mindoro in Mimaropa; Albay, Sorsogon, and Camarines Sur in Region 5; and Negros Occidental and Capiz in Region 6 were damaged and rendered impassable due to flooding.
A total of 24 landslides were reported in the towns of Bulusan, Gubat, Juban, Matnog, Barcelona, Donsol, Magallanes, Sta. Magdalena, Bulan, and Sorsogon City in Sorsogon; Libmanan, Lagonoy, Buhi, Balatan, and Sagnay in Camarines Sur; Bato in Catanduanes; and Legazpi City in Albay.
There were two canceled flights at Naga City Airport.
The Estanza-Daraga road incurred damage as inspected by the Legazpi City Engineering office due to heavy rains.
Frontal system affecting PH
The tail-end of frontal system, or the interaction of cold air coming from the northeast monsoon or “amihan” and warm air from the easterly winds, continues to bring rains over several parts of the archipelago.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said moderate to at times heavy rains may persist over Albay, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Masbate, Quezon, and Polillo Islands.
Scattered light to moderate may also prevail over Metro Manila, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Visayas, and Quezon.
PAGASA warned of possible flooding, including flash floods, and rain-induced landslides that may occur during heavy or prolonged periods of rainfall, especially in areas that are highly susceptible to these hazards.
Other areas that received significant antecedent rainfall over the past couple of days or weeks were also advised to take precautionary measures in case flooding or landslides occur due to these weather disturbances.
Adjacent areas that may not have been directly affected by the rainfall were urged to remain alert due to the possibility of flooding from surface runoff or swelling of river channels.
The northeast monsoon may also bring light rains over Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province, while isolated light amihan rains may persist over the rest of Luzon. PAGASA, however, said the monsoon rains may not have a significant impact over these areas.
A gale warning remains in effect Sunday due to strong to gale force winds associated with the strong amihan.
Rough to very rough seas may affect the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon, eastern seaboard of Central Luzon, western seaboards of Northern and southern Luzon, and eastern seaboard of Southern Luzon.
As sea travel over these waters is still risky, fishing boats and other small sea vessels were advised to prevent from travelling out to sea, while larger sea vessels were asked to remain alert against big waves. (With a report from PNA)