Over 11,200 people affected by Typhoon Betty —NDRRMC

A total of 11,264 people or 2,859 families were affected by Typhoon Betty, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Tuesday.

In its 8 a.m. report, the NDRRMC said the affected individuals were reported in 55 barangays in Cagayan, Central Luzon, Western Visayas, and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

A total of 3,483 persons or 877 families were staying inside 21 evacuation centers, while 381 people or 112 families were taking shelter in other places.

At least two houses in Central Luzon were reported damaged.

A total of 104 domestic flights and 17 international flights were canceled in the National Capital Region.

The NDRRMC also said 47 seaports were non-operational in Calabarzon, MIMAROPA, Bicol, Western Visayas, and Eastern Visayas. Due to this, 222 passengers and 122 rolling cargoes were stranded.

A total of 254 classes and 80 work schedules were suspended due to the typhoon.

Assistance worth P1,897,764 has been provided to the victims, according to the NDRRMC.

Landslides, damaged houses, power interruptions were reported during the onslaught of Betty, according to reports on GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita on Tuesday.

In Arakan, Cotabato, a highway had been temporarily closed due to rocks and soil blocking the road after a landslide, according to Darlene Cay's report.

The local government said the soil softened with high saturation of water due to days of rain in the area.

In General Santos City, four houses were destroyed by strong winds. No one was reported hurt in the incident.

In Baler, Aurora, strong waves hit and destroyed some houses, bakery, and seawall, according to a report by Ian Cruz. The water reportedly washed away the food, clothes, and school supplies of affected residents.

Power interruptions, meanwhile, were reported in Buguey and Santa Teresita in Cagayan, according to a report of GMA Regional TV One North Central Luzon’s Jasmin Gabriel-Galban.

Cagayan II Electric Cooperative Inc. (CAGELCO II) said that strong winds affected its power lines.

Due to canceled sea trips, some passengers have been stranded at the Manila North Port for over 24 hours as they waited for the resumption of the trips, according to a separate report by Darlene Cay.

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said the canceled trips were due to the bad weather and some technical issues.

Based on its latest advisory, state weather bureau PAGASA said three areas remained under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2: They were:

• Batanes
• northeastern portion of Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gonzaga)
• Babuyan Islands

Meanwhile, six areas were under TCWS No. 1:

• the rest of mainland Cagayan
• the northern and eastern portions of Isabela (Santo Tomas, Santa Maria, Quezon, San Mariano, Dinapigue, Delfin Albano, San Pablo, Ilagan City, Benito Soliven, Tumauini, Cabagan, Palanan, Quirino, Divilacan, Gamu, Maconacon, Naguilian, Mallig)
• the eastern portion of Ilocos Norte (Piddig, Bangui, Vintar, Marcos, Pagudpud, Banna, Adams, Carasi, Dingras, Solsona, Dumalneg, Nueva Era)
• Apayao
• the northern portion of Kalinga (City of Tabuk, Balbalan, Pinukpuk, Rizal)
• the northeastern portion of Abra (Tineg, Lacub, Malibcong)

Betty, a former super typhoon, weakened over the sea east of Batanes early Tuesday morning, according to PAGASA.

As of 4 a.m., Betty was located 350 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes packing maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour (km/h) near the center, gustiness of up to 185 km/h, and central pressure of 955 hPa. Betty was moving north northwestward at 10 km/h.

It will gradually accelerate north northeastward on Thursday and northeastward on Friday, bringing its center over the waters southeast of the Ryukyu Islands.

Betty may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Friday, PAGASA said. — Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News