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NDRRMC: TS Mario leaves at least 5 dead, 710,000 displaced
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(Updated 7:01 p.m.) Tropical Storm Mario (Fung-Wong) left at least five people dead and displaced more than 710,000 people as of Saturday noon, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said.
The NDRRMC noted 153,976 families or 710,120 people were affected in Ilocos, Central and Southern Luzon, Central Luzon, Cordillera, and Metro Manila, of which 45,004 families or 205,304 people were sheltered in 404 evacuation centers.
The NDRRMC noted 153,976 families or 710,120 people were affected in Ilocos, Central and Southern Luzon, Central Luzon, Cordillera, and Metro Manila, of which 45,004 families or 205,304 people were sheltered in 404 evacuation centers.
In its 10 a.m. update, the NDRRMC revised its death toll, removing two names from the list of fatalities. A report earlier by radio dzBB's Rowena Salvacion noted the council apologized for the lapse in reporting.
The fatalities listed in the latest update include:
- Althea Gaviola, 2, (drowning) Quezon City
- Erlinda Centrino, 69, (head injury) Rodriguez, Rizal
- Jay-ar Taganas, 34, (drowning) Quezon City
- Glendon Sol Benedicto, 22, (electrocution) Sampaloc, Manila.
A fifth fatality was described as a 22-year-old man who was electrocuted in Cubao, Quezon City but the man's family requested that his identity be withheld.
Seven people were injured while one, Ernesto Guevarra, 55, was missing.
However, the number of fatalities could still rise after three dead bodies were recovered late Saturday — two from Marikina River and one in Taytay.
However, the number of fatalities could still rise after three dead bodies were recovered late Saturday — two from Marikina River and one in Taytay.
Meanwhile, some 300 areas in Ilocos, Central and Southern Luzon, Metro Manila and Bicol remained flooded.
State of calamity
Cebu City was placed under a state of calamity following a similar declaration for Marikina City and the town of Cainta in Rizal.
Ilocos Norte was likewise declared under a state of calamity on Saturday after heavy rain continued to fall over the province.
Ilocos Norte was likewise declared under a state of calamity on Saturday after heavy rain continued to fall over the province.
In Bicol, at least 133 people remain stranded in the wake of the storm, the Philippine Coast Guard said Saturday noon, citing one vessel, two motor bancas and four rolling cargos were also standed.
As of 12 noon, 20 Sept #TSMario, stranded in Bicol. passengers- 133, vessel- 1, motorbancas- 2, rolling cargoes- 4
— PhilippineCoastGuard (@PhilCoastGuard1) September 20, 2014
A boy plays in a flooded street in Manila as Storm Mario batters Metro Manila and nearby provinces on Friday, September 19. Thousands of residents in low-lying areas were moved to higher ground, officials said, as flood waters rose quickly after the equivalent of half a month's usual rain fell in six hours. Reuters/Erik De Castro
Damage
Meanwhile, the NDRRMC in a press briefing aired on GMA's Balitanghali program on Saturday said they have yet to finish damage assessment.
According to NDRRMC Executive Director retired Navy Chief Alexander Pama, they cannot yet give a rough estimate as assessment operations are still ongoing.
“In fact, kahit dito sa Metro Manila, ngayon pa lang tayo nagiikot, kumukuha ng estimates. Mas lalo po sa Norte siguro na kadadaan pa lang [ng bagyo],” Pama said.
Headed toward Taiwan
In a separate report, Reuters noted Mario was churning towards Taiwan on Saturday while most schools on the main island of Luzon remained closed for a second day as a huge mopping-up operation began. Some public offices have reopened.
"Some of our things are buried in mud, it will take awhile to clean up," a resident in Marikina City told Reuters while clearing up layers of mud and debris inside their residence.
With winds of 95 kph and gusts of 120 kph, Mario slammed in the northern tip of the Philippines on Friday, cutting power in many areas and soaking rice and corn farms and bringing the capital to a near standstill.
The storm, traveling north at 15 kph, is expected to hit Taiwan on Monday, according to the state weather bureau PAGASA.
At 1:17 p.m. the center of storm is around 137 km northeast of Laoag City in Ilocos province and is expected to be at 647 kms north of Batanes on Monday, outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
Pama said a boat capsized in central Philippines but all 53 crew and passengers were rescued by the navy.
Trading on the Philippine Stock Exchange and local currency market was suspended on Friday and will resume on Monday. At least 40 domestic flights were grounded and six international flights were diverted by civil aviation authorities.
Pama said some residents were rescued perching on their roofs or trapped inside their homes in Marikina and Quezon City.
Tropical storms regularly hit the Philippines, with Mario the second to hit in two weeks.
Last year, Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) struck Central Philippines, killing more 6,300 people. An average of 20 typhoons hit the country every year. – With reports from Joel Locsin, Andrei Medina and Reuters/VS/KG, GMA News
