Dante death toll hits 11

MANILA, Philippines — The number of fatalities due to Tropical Storm Dante has climbed to 11, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

At least two others remain missing and three persons were reported injured as Dante swept through the country last week.

The NDRRMC said over 122,000 people or 29,117 families in 462 barangays were directly affected by Dante’s onslaught.

More than 800 people are still in six evacuation centers as latest reports said the storm destroyed 3,209 houses and damaged P91.6 million worth of agricultural products and P131.1 million worth of infrastructure.

The NDRRMC said some P2.3 million worth of assistance has been provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development and local government units to affected individuals.

Below average tropical cyclone frequency

The ASEAN Climate Outlook Forum (ASEANCOF) has issued its seasonal forecast for June, July and August 2021 for Southeast Asia, with tropical cyclone frequency expected to be near- to above-average around the West Philippine Sea.

The seasonal outlook issued for Southeast Asia took into account the end of the La Niña event and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), which is currently neutral, though it may become negative.

The onset and strength of the southwest monsoon season is expected to be near-normal (typical) for much of the region, although it may be slightly delayed for some northern regions. A possible development of a negative IOD event may increase the monsoon strength later in the outlook period.

“Overall, the tropical cyclone frequency is expected to be below-average for the Bay of Bengal, while near-to above-average around the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea and the Western North Pacific,” it said.

On rainfall for the upcoming June to August period, near-normal rainfall is expected for much of the region, including Brunei Darussalam, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and northern Philippines.

Near- to above-normal rainfall is expected for parts of the Maritime Continent, including Singapore and central and southern Philippines.

Near- to above-normal air temperature is predicted over Southeast Asia in the same time period. The regions with the highest likelihood of above-normal temperature include central Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, and central and southern Vietnam. – Pia Lee-Brago