Whirlwind hits Bohol

CEBU, Philippines - At least 71 families were affected by a whirlwind that struck four barangays in Jagna, Bohol last Friday.

Reports from the National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council showed that the whirlwind occurred at 10:45 am and destroyed 40 houses in Barangay Canupao; 28 houses in Barangay Bunga Mar; two houses in Barangay Cantagay; and another one in Barangay Ipil.

The damages to properties, including houses, motorized bancas, and other personal belongings have reached P1 million more or less, NDRRMC’s report further showed.

Fortunately enough, no casualty has been reported.

Aside from assessing the damages, NDRRMC and the Jagna Emergency Medical and Rescue Unit conducted rescue and clearing operations and distributed relief goods to the affected families.

Meanwhile, the continuous rains brought by the southwest monsoon resulted to floods affecting 1,392 families or 6,747 persons in 44 barangays, 12 municipalities, two cities in the eight provinces of Regions III (Central Luzon), Region IV-A (CALABARZON); Region IV-B (MIMAROPA); Region VII (Central Visayas); Region X (Northern Mindanao); Region XI (Davao Region) and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Around 5,355 persons are currently being served inside and outside evacuation centers, NDRRMC said. The total cost of damages for infrastructure, agriculture and private properties amounted to P93 million, the report further showed.

The agency said two casualties were reported, one missing, and 24 has been rescued.

Meanwhile, Tropical Depression “Gener” is not expected to make landfall in any part of the country, the state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday.

In its 11 a.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said the active low-pressure area that was spotted east of the Philippines intensified into a tropical depression and was named Gener, located 250 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes.

The tropical depression packed maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center.

The weather disturbance is expected to maintain its north northwest direction at 15 kph and it will not hit any part of the country, PAGASA said.

The tropical cyclone was expected to be 310 kilometers east northeast of Casiguran, Aurora today; and 460 kilometers north northeast of Casiguran, Aurora by Monday morning.

By Tuesday morning, the storm is expected to be 380 kilometers north northeast of Basco, Batanes.

PAGASA advised residents living in low-lying areas and mountainous areas in Southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao to be on alert for possible flashfloods and landslides.

The estimated volume of rainfall is between 10 to 25 millimeters per hour, and heavy to intense rain is expected within the 400-kilometer diameter of the tropical depression.

The storm is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon that would bring rains over Southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao, especially in the western section.

Fishing boats and the small seacraft are advised not to venture out into the seaboards of Southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao as a result of the combined effect of Gener and the southwest monsoon.  (FREEMAN)