PNP: Carina death toll climbs to 21

MANILA, Philippines — At least 21 people died, 15 were injured and five reported missing in the wake of the southwest monsoon enhanced by Typhoon Carina, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported yesterday.

Col. Jean Fajardo, the PNP’s chief information officer, said 11 of the fatalities were from Calabarzon and seven from Metro Manila. The other three were from Central Luzon. Among the causes of death are drowning, electrocution and landslide.

According to the tally of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) released yesterday, 14 people were confirmed dead, two injured and two others missing due to the combined effects of the monsoon, Typhoon Carina and Tropical Depression Butchoy.

In La Union, three persons reportedly drowned at the height of Carina (international name Gaemi) – one in San Fernando, one in Bacnotan town and another in Bauang municipality – while a fisherman is still missing.

In Manila, two died due to electrocution while another drowned. In Pasay City, a retired Philippine Air Force officer was found unconscious in the flooded basement of his home and later pronounced dead.

Up to 47,682 families or 202,015 people were displaced and have sought shelter in 14,872 evacuation centers put up in the areas hit by heavy rains and floods. Fajardo said at least 10,437 people were brought to safety in 245 search and rescue operations.

Members of the PNP were not spared by the typhoon’s wrath, with about 1,855 police officers and non-uniformed personnel affected and needing assistance.

Carina has weakened into a typhoon category and exited the Philippine area of responsibility yesterday, but the southwest monsoon will continue to bring rains over parts of the country.

Moderate to heavy rains of 50 to 100 millimeters are forecast over Zambales, Bataan, Pangasinan and Benguet.

Carina is still bringing rains with gusty winds over Batanes while the southwest monsoon is bringing rains over Ilocos region, Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Zambales and Bataan.

Occasional rains are forecast over Metro Manila, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas and Occidental Mindoro. The monsoon will also bring scattered rains over the rest of Luzon while