NDRRMC: 10 dead from landslides, extreme flooding

MANILA, Philippines — At least 10 people have been reported dead due to weather-related causes as Tropical Storm Enteng continued to bring heavy rains to various areas in Luzon and the Visayas, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said yesterday.

The NDRRMC said seven casualties were reported in Calabarzon, two in Central Visayas and one in Western Visayas.

However, Police Regional Office 4-A spokesperson Lt. Col. Chitadel Gaoiran placed Calabarzon’s casualties at nine deaths – five from drowning and four from landslides.

Six other people remain missing in the aftermath of the storm – four in Rizal and two in Quezon province, Gaoiran added.

Police have yet to receive reports if there were casualties in Batangas and Cavite.

Meanwhile, 37,867 families have been affected by the storm, with 8,866 families taking shelter in 218 evacuation centers.

So far, over P9 million worth of assistance have been given to families in the most affected communities, including 7,500 families in Metro Manila.

The NDRRMC is yet to release more data on damage to agriculture and infrastructure but as of yesterday, it reported some 17 damaged houses in the Bicol Region, Western Visayas and Central Visayas. Initial estimates of infrastructure damage in Bicol region alone has been placed at P200,000.

Enteng intensified into a severe tropical storm yesterday as it was forecast to leave the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) this morning, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

PAGASA said Enteng was monitored at 165 kms west northwest of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte as of 4 p.m., carrying maximum sustained winds of 95 kms per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kph.

Tropical cyclone wind signal no. 1 was still hoisted over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, the northern portion of La Union and Abra. Around 50-100mm of rainfall is expected over the Ilocos Region and Abra.

The storm is also enhancing the southwest monsoon that will bring moderate to intense rainfall over parts of Luzon in the following days.

The severe tropical storm will move westward until Friday and may make another landfall in the