UPDATE: Yolanda pounds Visayas region, 3 dead (UPDATED 4:07 p.m.) Super Typhoon Yolanda, the strongest cyclone to hit the planet in 2013, made its 5th landfall over Concepcion, Iloilo Friday noon as it pounds its way across the Visayas region. It earlier made its 1st landfall over Guiuan, Eastern Samar around 4:40 a.m. and its second landfall over Dulag and Tolosa in Leyte past 7:00 a.m. It hit the ground for the 3rd time in Daanbantayan, Cebu at around 9:40 a.m. and made a fourth landfall at 10:40 a.m. in Bantayan, Cebu. Weather Bureau PAGASA said Yolanda is still moving west northwest at a very fast speed of 40 kilometers per hour bearing very strong winds of up to 215 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 250 kilometers per hour. Yolanda is now expected to island hop in the next few hours over Panay Island, Semirara Island, and Palawan. With its current movement, it is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) early Saturday morning. In its wake, Yolanda has already left 3 people dead in Masbate, Zamboanga and Surigao del Sur, 7 injured and 145,641 families affected in 581 evacuation centers, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC). The two fatalities from Masbate and Surigao del Sur were electrocuted after toppled electric posts fell on them, while one died in Zamboanga after he was struck by lightning, NDRRMC reported. In a Palace briefing, Communications Sec. Sonny Coloma said the number of fatalities may continue to go up as the super typhoon continue to batter the country. The government, however, is focused on rescue and relief operations, he added. Kasalukuyang naka-full red alert ang ibat ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan sa pangunguna ng NDRRMC...nakahandang ipamamahagi ng [Department of Social Welfare and Development] ang relief goods para sa mamamayan sa mga apektadong lalawigan, Coloma said. The Social Welfare department has earmarked more than P53 million for relief operations. According to PAGASA, Yolanda is not just the strongest storm in the Philippine history but it is also tagged as the most powerful cyclone in the world for 2013. It is placed under category 5, labeling it as a super typhoon. Public Storm Warning Signal no. 4 is now raised over these areas: LUZON: Southern Occidental Mindoro Southern Oriental Mindoro Romblon Calamian Group of Islands Masbate VISAYAS: Northern Cebu Cebu City Bantayan Island Camotes Islands Northern Negros Occidental Capiz Aklan Antique Iloilo Guimaras The following provinces were also placed under Storm Signals 3, 2, and 1 respectively. SIGNAL NO. 3 LUZON Rest of Occidental Mindoro Rest of Oriental Mindoro Sorsogon Burias Island Marinduque Ticao Island Northern Palawan including Puerto Princesa City VISAYAS: Northern Samar Eastern Samar Samar Leyte Southern Leyte Bohol Rest of Cebu Rest of Negros Occidental Negros Oriental Camotes Island Biliran province MINDANAO: Dinagat Province SIGNAL NO. 2 LUZON: Bataan Metro Manila Rizal Cavite Southern Quezon Laguna Batangas Camarines Sur Lubang Island Rest of Palawan Albay VISAYAS: Siquijor MINDANAO Surigao del Norte Siargao Camiguin SIGNAL NO 1 LUZON: Camarines Norte Rest of Quezon Polilio Island Bulacan Pampanga Zambales Catanduanes MINDANAO: Surigao del Sur Misamis Oriental Agusan del Norte According to the airport authorities, 453 flights have been cancelled due to Yolanda. Nearly 3000 passengers are stranded in various ports around the country. While Metro Manila is experiencing light to moderate rains in the morning, PAGASA said it will get worse in the afternoon or early evening. Authorities had earlier warned of flashfloods and landslides in the areas that will be hit by Yolanda. In Southern Leyte, one of the provinces currently being battered by the super typhoon, Governor Roger Mercado of Southern Leyte warned against the wrath of Yolanda. “We would like to advise all provinces and cities along the path of typhoon Yolanda not to take this typhoon lightly. They have to prepare now, evacuate and make moves. Maghanda na kayo dyan kasi dito talaga sa amin talagang malakas na malakas. Do not under estimate this. Please prepare now,” Mercado said in a phone interview with ANC’s Headstart. Mercado said, at least 7,771 families or more than 31,000 individuals have already been evacuated. He added, Southern Leyte is currently experiencing power outage and roads remain impassable due to fallen trees and electric posts. In Romblon, where Yolanda is expected to pass through in the next few hours, the super typhoon has already made its presence felt. Romblon Governor Eduardo Firmlalo said around 7,000 residents have already been transferred to several evacuation sites as part of their preparations. Strong winds and rains are now lashing Marinduque especially municipalities in the southern part of the province. Provincial administrator Bong Raza said almost 3,000 people have already been evacuated. A total blackout struck as early as 6:00 p.m. Thursday in Santa Cruz, Torrijos, Buenavista, and Gasan and 10:00 p.m. in the capital towns Mogpog and Boac.
Posted on: Fri, 08 Nov 2013 08:55:50 +0000
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