STRONG winds and rain lashed the northern Philippines as Typhoon Doksuri made landfall on Wednesday, causing rivers to overflow and leaving thousands without power.
Residents in coastal communities had been evacuated ahead of the storm, which brought winds of up to 175 kilometers per hour (108 miles per hour) and was expected to sustain strength as it continues its course toward Taiwan and China.
“We are being battered here,” Manual Mamba, governor of northern Cagayan province, told Reuters, adding that no casualties had been reported so far.
More than 4,000 passengers were stranded at various ports in the country after sea travel was suspended, the Philippine Coast Guard said.
Storm warnings were in place in many parts of northern Luzon, which is home to about half of the Philippines’ 110-million population. Authorities have warned of storm surges, landslides and damage to infrastructure.
Doksuri, locally known as Egay, is the fifth storm to hit the Southeast Asian nation this year, which is hit by an average 20 typhoons each year. Scientists have warned that global warming will only make storms wetter, windier and more violent.
Categorized as a super typhoon on Tuesday, Doksuri weakened slightly on Wednesday. It was expected to brush past Taiwan and make landfall in China’s Fujian province on Friday, according to the Philippine weather bureau.
The presidential palace in a statement said the government had P173 million in standby funds for typhoon victims.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Fire Protection and Philippine Coast Guard have deployed rescue teams, it added.
Though Egay had weakened from super typhoon strength, it was packed with maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 240 kph. It is moving northwestward at a speed of 10 kph.
Egay made its first landfall in Fuga Island, Aparri in Cagayan province at dawn on Wednesday.
It was expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility by Thursday morning, state weather specialist Loriedin dela Cruz-Galicia told a news briefing.
Due to the combined effects of Egay and the southwest monsoon, a gale warning was in effect over coastal waters along the seaboards of Luzon and the Visayas.
“Rough to very high seas conditions are risky for all types of sea vessels,” the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said. “Mariners are advised to remain in port or take shelter in port until winds and waves subside.”
The bureau hoisted tropical cyclone wind signals in some parts of Luzon.
Signal No. 4 was placed over the northwestern portion of Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, and the northern portion of Ilocos Norte.
Signal No. 3 was up in Batanes, the northern and central portions of Cagayan, the rest of Ilocos Norte, Apayao, the northern portion of Abra and the northern portion of Ilocos Sur.
Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Isabela, the rest of Cagayan, the rest of Ilocos Sur, the rest of Abra, the northern and central portions of La Union and the northern and central portions of Benguet were under Signal No. 2.
Signal No. 1 was raised in Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Aurora, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Zambales, Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Metro Manila, Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, the rest of La Union and the rest of Benguet, and the northern part of Quezon province including Polillo Islands.
“The southwest monsoon enhanced by Egay will continue to bring occasional to monsoon rains over the western portions of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon and the Visayas in the next three days,” PAGASA said.
The weather bureau said 8-11 tropical cyclones are expected to enter the Philippines from August to January.
EVACUATIONS
In a report, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said about 180,439 people from 44,356 families were affected by the typhoon.
It said 107 evacuations centers have been opened to house 11,041 people. The typhoon damaged more than 50 houses, while infrastructure damage was estimated at P1.5 million.
In Baguio City, police rescued a 59-year-old construction worker and his 48-year-old wife after their house was buried in mud. Their teenage son was retrieved two hours later and was pronounced dead on arrival at a nearby hospital.
The Public Works department said 13 roads were closed to vehicular traffic in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) due to soil collapse, felled trees and mudflow.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said two airports — Laoag International Airport and Tuguegarao Airport — halted operations.
Laoag International Airport, Vigan Airport and Lingayen Airport reported damage, while Tuguegarao Airport and Lingayen Airport were flooded.
San Jose Airport’s Cebgo, Inc. flight to and from Manila was canceled, affecting 115 passengers, CAAP said.
Naga Airport and Masbate Airport also canceled flights, affecting 146 passengers in the latter.
“CAAP reminds passengers to prioritize their safety and cooperate with airport and airline authorities during this weather disturbance,” it said in an advisory. “Travelers are advised to contact their respective airlines for any changes to their flight schedules, alternative arrangements, or further information.”
Meanwhile, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) Regional Office IV relaxed rules until July 31 to speed up the transportation of passengers and cargo.
Ships may depart immediately once they reach their maximum authorized passenger and cargo capacities. They may also increase sailing frequencies. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera, Justine Irish D. Tabile, Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza and Artemio A. Dumlao with Reuters
Thousands left without electricity as Doksuri makes landfall in Philippines
Source: Bantay Radio
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