Storm “Basyang” kills 3, affects 42,000 people

Tropical Storm Basyang as of February 1.  PAGASA satellite image
Tropical Storm Basyang as of February 1. PAGASA satellite image

MANILA, Feb.2 (PNA) — At least three people were killed while more than 42,000 individuals in Visayas and Mindanao were affected due to floods and landslides caused by heavy rain brought by tropical depression “Basyang”, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Sunday.

NDRRMC identified the fatalities as Jose Haji Aque Babatid; 22, resident of Highway, Brgy. Baliwagan, Balamban, Cebu; Danny Tundag. 24, Daanbantayan, Cebu; and Dionesio Paler, 66, resident of Brgy. Tigbawan, Maasin City, Southen Leyte.

Babatid died due to electrocution while Tundag and Paler died of drowning.

NDRRMC said that 9,105 families or 42,413 persons were affected in 176 barangays in 38 municipalities/ 7 cities in 9 provinces of Regions 6, 7, 8 and Caraga region.

Of this, 1,130 families or 5,646 persons were displaced and served inside 32 evacuation centers.

A total of 81 houses got damaged, with74 partially and seven totally damaged in Regions 6, 7 and Caraga.

The NDRRMC also said that total of 5,897 passengers of 16 vessels, 576 rolling cargoes and two motorized bancas were stranded as of 6 p.m. Saturday in the ports of Manila, Cebu, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Bacolod, Caticlan, Batangas, Romblon and Calapan.

It added that the government pre-positioned P145.23 million worth of emergency relief resources consisting of standby funds (63.20 million), 43,207 family food packs (P10.07 million) and other food packs (P37.72 million) readily available for augmentation. (source: Philippine News Agency)