It’s been zero casualties so far in mainland Region 2 as Typhoon “Kiko” crossed the coastal waters of Itbayat, Batanes before making its landfall around 8:30 a.m. Saturday, September 11.
This was the latest report from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
“Magandang balita po na talagang walang affected in so far as casualties at wala po talagang significant effects so far based on the reports ng mga team leaders. Ang tinututukan talaga namin ngayon is how we assist the affected families sa Batanes,” said Franco Lopez, OIC-Assistant Regional Director, DSWD-2.
In the entire Calayan Group of Island, there were 30 families who were evacuated from Babuyan Claro while another 29 families were rescued from Camiguin Island.
Initial reports reveal only uprooted crops and trees while no structural damage was reported as of this writing.
“As of this morning nag-ikot nga kami, may mga mangilan-ngilan na tumumbang punong kahoy at halaman gaya ng mga saging (As of this morning when we went around, we saw a few trees and crops that were damaged like bananas), said Herbert Singun, Information Officer of Calayan Island.
Enriz Fidel shared a video that showed a storm surge in their area in San Vicente, Ivana, Batanes.
“Grabeng lakas po ng alon kaninang umaga. Mga 8-9 a.m. humina ung hangin tapos lumakas ulit ng bandang 10:30 a.m. hanggang kaninang 2 p.m. Sa ngayon mas mahina na ang hangin pero tuloy pa rin ang buhos ng ulan (Waves were so strong this morning. It weakened a bit then became stronger again 10:30 a.m. until 2pm. Right now winds are not that strong but rains remain strong),” said Fidel.
Typhoon Kiko (international name “Chanthu”) has further weakened while it moved over the coastal waters of Batanes, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 5 p.m.
PAGASA said Kiko has maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph while moving north-northwest at 15 kph.
The outer circulation of the typhoon is still expected to continue to bring stormy weather over parts of northern Luzon in the next 24 hours.
Tropical cyclone wind signal number 4 remains hoisted over the northern portion of Batanes and Signal number 3 over the rest of Batanes.
Meanwhile, Signal No. 2 was still in effect in the northeastern portion of Babuyan Islands and Signal No. 1 over the rest of Babuyan Islands.
PAGASA said that tropical cyclone wind signals hoisted in other areas have been lifted.