NDRRMC: Death toll from Storm Ofel rises to 5

Published October 26, 2012 9:55am

The death toll from Tropical Storm Ofel (Son-Tinh) rose to five Friday, even as disaster management officials remained on high alert for at least two more events despite Ofel's impending exit from the Philippine area of responsibility.

In a radio interview, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council head Benito Ramos said at least nine were reported missing while 10 were injured, including passengers of a train that was derailed in Quezon province.

"Itong epekto ni Ofel, bagama't ito mahina lang, very little damage to properties, nag-iwan siya ng limang patay," Ramos told dzRH radio.

Citing initial information reaching him, he said the fatalities included a woman who died in Marinduque due to hypothermia, and two who died of drowning in Cebu and Batangas Cities.

He said the other two fatalities were hit by falling trees in Concepcion town in Romblon and in Oriental Mindoro province.

An 8 a.m. update by the NDRRMC identified the fatalities as:

Sophia Recto, 88, Torrijos, Marinduque, hypothermia
Rigel Saycon, 18, Dumanjug, Cebu City, drowning
Solustiano Fabellon, 77, Concepcion, Romblon, hit by fallen tree
Olive Belyn Luna, 18, Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro
Roberto Manongsong, Batangas City, drowning

On the other hand, Ramos said nine remained missing, mostly fishermen.

Also, he said 10 were injured, including nine in Quezon province when a Philippine National Railways train was derailed. The injured were identified as:

Genesis Hernandez, 17, wounded in left leg, Oriental Mindoro
Joan Yalung, 30
Renelee Francisco, 30
Enamanee Monter
Mark Agdeppa
Arminda Granada
Jesus Sevilla
Pelomena Gomez
Pantallon San Pedro
Ybet Palido

Except for Hernandez, the injured were involved in a derailing of a PNR train in Sariaya, Quezon.

"Nadiskaril ang tren dahil sa baha (The train was derailed because the areas was flooded)," Ramos said. Red alert

Meanwhile, Ramos said that despite Ofel about to exit the Philippine area of responsibility within the day, the NDRRMC will remain on red alert in the next several days.

He said they are on alert to monitor a no-fly, no-fish and no-sail zone Friday afternoon as South Korea launches a rocket that would send a satellite into space.

After that, he said they will remain on alert for Undas (All Saints' and All Souls' Days).

Stranded

As of 8 a.m. Friday, the NDRRMC said 11,804 passengers were stranded, along with 60 trucks and 196 cars, 37 buses, 379 rolling cargoes, 25 vessels, and 12 motor bancas.

The NDRRMC said Ofel left some P4,458,547.50 in damage to agriculture.

At least seven houses were destroyed and 33 damaged.

Floods

As of 8 a.m. Friday, the following areas were impassable to vehicles:

Brgy. Sumilang, Pasig City
Lobo-Malabrigo-San Juan Road; Batangas-Tabangao-Lobo Road; Barangay Road of Batuhan vs Barangay Bulihan, Batangas
Brgy. Market Area; Ilem Subd & Blue Light, Brgy. Tagapo;
Capt. Perlas Subd., Brgy. Pooc; Masiit, Brgy. Labas; St. John
Brgy. Ibaba; Front Street of Sta. Rosa CPS; Sitio Burok, Brgy. Dita; Southville Ph-8, Brgy. Caingin, Laguna
Tigwi-Dampulan-Lipata Road; Marinduque Circumferential Road; Buenavista Gasan Road; Timbo-Malbog Road;
Buenavista, Pinggan, Gasan, Marinduque
Dinagat Loreto Road KM15+100-under contract, Dinagat Island

— RSJ, GMA News

Tags: ndrrmc, weather, stormofel, ofel