Rolly destroyed 80% of houses in three Catanduanes towns, says Gordon

At least 80% of houses in three Catanduanes towns were destroyed by Tropical Storm Rolly, Senator Richard Gordon, who also chairs the Philippine Red Cross, said Monday.

Gordon, citing reports from Red Cross personnel on the ground, said the full extent of Rolly’s damage could not be determined so far since most communication lines in the island province have also been damaged.

“11 bayan kasi diyan [sa Catanduanes]. Doon sa tatlong bayan, ang nahagilap nung tatlong tao namin na nakamotorsiklo, visual lang ito, mga 80% ang damaged sa mga bahay,” Gordon said in a Dobol B sa News TV interview.

“Maraming mga bahay ang nasira talaga, kaya magpapadala kami ng tarpaulin at mga yero at baka magkasakit ang mga tao. Papa-swab rin namin [for COVID-19] kung may flu,” he added.

Rolly reached super typhoon level on Sunday morning, bringing catastrophic winds and dumping intense rains that flooded villages and sent thousands of people fleeing their homes.

Gordon said Catanduanes' capital of Virac was also heavily devastated, including hospitals and supermarkets there.

A number of missing persons and lack of oil supply have also been reported, he added.

“Mayroon kaming satellite phone, pero wala pang internet [connection],” Gordon said, adding so far only three towns have been visited by PRC personnel.

“Tatlong bayan pa lang ang nakikita namin kaya sana iyong ibang bayan hindi naman inabot ng daluyong,” he said. —KBK, GMA News