One death reported in Bicol due to Uwan — OCD

At least one death has been reported in the Bicol Region, which was first hit by Super Typhoon Uwan, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said on Sunday.

The OCD said the fatality was recorded in Catanduanes.

“Region 5 already reported isa pong, for validation, isang casualty dahil sa flash flood due to drowning. So this is being validated now,” said OCD Deputy Administrator for Administration Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV in a press briefing.

(Region 5 already reported one, for validation, one casualty due to flash flood because of drowning. This is being validated now.)

Two injuries were also reported from the region: one in Catanduanes and one in Calinog.

The state weather bureau PAGASA reported in its 5 p.m. bulletin that several areas in Bicol Region are under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals No. 5, 4, and 3.

TCWS Signal No. 5 is hoisted over the northern portion of Camarines Norte (Paracale, Vinzons), including the Calaguas Islands.

“Ang sitwasyon po ngayon sa Region 5, dahil siya po talaga ang una, together with Region 8, they are currently experiencing strong winds with moderate to heavy rains, sa Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes. And Albay is experiencing strong winds with moderate rains,” Alejandro said.

(The situation right now in Region 5, because it was really the first, together with Region 8, is that they are currently experiencing strong winds with moderate to heavy rains in Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes. Albay is experiencing strong winds with moderate rains.)

The OCD official added that all provinces in the region, except Sorsogon, have no power supply as of 3 p.m.

According to Mav Gonzales’ report on “24 Oras Weekend,” several provinces in Bicol Region have felt the wrath of Uwan, with flash floods and storm surges threatening residents.

In Barangay Sicmil in Gigmoto, Catanduanes, a huge wave almost engulfed houses. The impact of the waves quickly flooded the road.

Residents of Barangay J.M. Alberto in Baras, Catanduanes, also feared for their lives as water entered homes easily.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has suspended operations at Virac Airport and Bicol International Airport due to the inclement weather.

Meanwhile, visibility in Garchitorena, Camarines Sur, was nearly zero due to strong winds and heavy rain.

In Daet, Camarines Norte, power outages occurred as electric posts were downed by the storm.

In Guinobatan, Albay, a Philippine National Railways bridge tilted due to the strength of the flood surge.—Vince Angelo Ferreras/MCG, GMA Integrated News