There is no confirmed fatality yet directly related to Typhoon “Carina”, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) clarified on Wednesday, July 24.
However, the OCD said it was validating reports from the Philippine National Police (PNP) that there were seven individuals reportedly killed due to landslides amid the onslaught of Carina: five in Batangas and two in Angeles City, Pampanga.
OCD Operations Service Director Cesar Idio, during a situation briefing with President Marcos Jr. in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, mentioned about eight fatalities due to the bad weather.
However, OCD information officer Easha Mariano said the fatalities were related to the effects of a previous tropical cyclone, “Butchoy”, and the southwest monsoon (habagat).
“These [fatalities] are related to the southwest monsoon and TC Butchoy,” she told reporters.
The fatalities were recorded by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and reflected in situational reports last week.
These were added to the current effects of Typhoon Carina by the OCD since the three weather systems happened in successive periods.
But Idio was quick to clarify to Marcos that their office has yet to confirm any casualty related to Carina during the meeting.
“For the effect of Tropical Cyclone Carina, we have yet to receive casualties," Idio said.
'Comprehensive' search and rescue in NCR
Meanwhile, the PCG deployed search and rescue (SAR) teams in Metro Manila as widespread flooding inundated the capital region.
The PCG’s Coast Guard District National Capital Region - Central Luzon (NCR-CL), in collaboration with the Coast Guard Station Malacañang and the Presidential Security Command (PSC), launched a "comprehensive" SAR operation in response to the devastation caused by Typhoon Carina.
“The operation aimed to ensure the safety and well-being of Filipinos severely affected by the storm. The rescue teams worked tirelessly under challenging conditions to evacuate residents from flooded and hazardous areas,” the PCG said.
The combined SAR teams have rescued a total of 1,356 individuals (433 families) from Mandaluyong City, San Juan City, Marikina City, and Sta. Mesa, among other areas in Metro Manila.
The personnel of the Coast Guard Station Malacañang also conducted comprehensive foot patrols in the whole stretch of Pasig River to closely monitor water levels and ensure rapid response to any potential threats or emergencies particularly in San Juan City and Marikina City.