Nearly 5,000 families served in evacuation centers amid Basyang —NDRRMC

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Wednesday said almost 5,000 families are being sheltered in evacuation centers due to the effects of Tropical Depression Basyang.

At a press conference, NDRRMC spokesperson Mina Marasigan said a total of 4,889 families or 21,133 people are currently being served in 102 evacuation centers, adding some of them might opt to return to their houses if weather permits.

"Kasalukuyan naman po medyo maganda ganda na po ang panahon natin sa ating mga kababayan sa Northern Mindanao at maaari sa araw na ito ay may mga ilan na tayong mga kababayan na babalik na po sa kani-kanilang mga tahanan," Marasigan said.

A total of 4,642 passengers were also stranded according to the Philippine Coast Guard, while the operations of 931 rolling cargoes, 119 vessels and nine motor bancas were also suspended.

There were also reported power interruptions in Socorro in Surigao del Norte, Silay City in Negros Occidental, and in the municipalities of Culaba and Kawayan in Biliran, according to Marasigan.

Marasigan said that they are still verifying the reported casualty and six people injured due to landslides in Albuerra, Leyte.

Meanwhile, a total of 114 damaged houses were also reported to the NDRRMC. Of this number, 57 were totally damaged while another 57 houses were partially damaged.

PAGASA reported that Basyang has so far made two landfalls in Cortes, Surigao del Sur and in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.

The weather disturbance has maintained its strength as it continue to move in a westward direction. Basyang's center was last spotted at 165 kilometers south of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan according to the 2 p.m. weather bulletin of PAGASA. — RSJ, GMA News