‘Helen’ claims 1 in Mt Province town - NDCC

MANILA, Philippines - One person was killed in the wake of tropical storm "Helen" after his dump truck fell into a ravine in northern Luzon, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said Thursday. In its 6 a.m. report Thursday, the NDCC identified the fatality as Jonathan Dulay Salmin, 20, a resident of Talubin in Bontoc town. "Due to heavy rains, Mr. Salmin fell into a deep ravine while driving a dump truck at the Balabag Road along Barlig town and Talubin village in Bontoc, Mt. Province," it said in its report. The NDCC also said "Helen" has so far affected 4,336 families or 17,947 people in 76 villages in nine towns and two cities in two provinces in Ilocos and Cagayan Valley. At least 2,488 families or 9,713 individuals had been displaced from their homes, the NDCC added. NDCC estimated the initial damage to livestock and agriculture at P45,000. On the other hand, the NDCC noted several roads and bridges remained impassable in the wake of "Helen." In Metro Manila, several areas in Malabon City were still flooded due to high tide, while in Ilocos, the Laoag-Balancad Road in Ilocos Norte is not passable. In Cagayan Valley, all national roads and bridges are passable except for the Simpatuyo Bridge in Sta. Teresita, Cagayan province. On the other hand, the Abra-Ilocos Norte Road was closed due to the swelling of the Calaba River in Cordillera. The Calanan-Pinukpuk-Abbot, Balbalan-Pinukpuk, and Kalinga-Abra Roads were also closed to traffic. - GMANews.TV