Zero casualty from ‘Egay’
Severe tropical storm “Egay” (international name “Linfa”) made landfall over Palanan, Isabela, late Saturday. It has weakened slightly after crossing Northern Luzon, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) last night.
PAGASA said “Egay” slowly weak- ened. This after it dumped heavy rains up north, causing floods and knocking out power in La Union and triggering landslides on mountainside roads in Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Apayao, and Benguet, also rendering major roads paralyzed.
There were no reported casualties, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said.
Moving out PAGASA said the storm moved slowly after its landfall and barely moved for about six hours early Sunday due to the prevailing high pressure area and typhoon outside the country’s area of responsibility.
As of 5 p.m. last night, Egay has a maximum winds of 85 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 100 kph.
It was moving slowly northwest at 9 kph.
Signal No. 2 was raised over Batanes, Cagayan including Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands, Apayao, Kalinga, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and Abra. These areas expected maximum winds of up to 120 kph within 24 hours.
Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 was hoisted over Pangasinan, Isabela, Benguet, La Union, Mountain Province, and Ifugao. These areas experienced between 30 kph and 60 kph winds within 36 hours.
Moderate to heavy rains prevailed in areas with storm warning signals.
Class suspension Due to the floods, the local governments of Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur and San Fernando City, La Union have declared classes in all levels suspended today, Monday.
La Union hardest hit OCD Region 1 Director Chito Castro said many roads were rendered impassable because of the floods affecting the towns of Bauang, Agoo, Caba, Aringay, San Fernando, San Juan, and Bacnotan, all in La Union.
“Massive ang flooding… 11 coastal municipalities ang lubog because nag-overflow, nag-swell ’yung mga major river basins dito sa San Fernando, La Union (Flooding was massive… 11 coastal municipalities have been submerged as the major river basins here in San Fernando City, La Union swelled),” Castro said.
He added many houses and farmlands in the province were submerged by floodwaters.
“As of this time all rescuers from different agencies of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) are now in the field to assist those affected by the floods, while rescue and disaster response teams from Ilocos Sur and Pangasinan are now also on standby,” said Castro.
Landslides close roads The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Region 1 said floods have closed the La Union-Luna-Bangar Road at the section of Km 307-308 as well as the Manila North Road starting at Km 286 near Pio Road in Barangay Cabaruan, Bacnotan to all types of vehicles.
In Ilocos Sur, landslides shut the Tagudin-Cervantes Road but later, one section was dedicated to traffic, said DPWH Region 1 Information Officer Esperanza Tinaza.
Further up north, heavy rains caused a portion of the slope protection of the Ilocos Norte-Apayao Road to cave in.
By noon, Tinaza reported all the aforementioned roads reopened following quick clearing operations.
Meanwhile, the DPWH in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) reported at noon that the Bua-Itogon Road was still closed and advised motorists to take the Midas path as an alternate route.
Equipment had been mobilized to the Gurel-Bokod-Kabayan also because of multiple landslides from Km 315 to Km 316 and Km 339-340.
DPWH-Baguio City District Engineering Office (DPWH-BCDEO) District Engineer Alexander Castañeda also reported that the Kennon Road, the Naguillian Road, the Baguio-Bontoc road particularly the Aw-awigan section; and the Twinriver - Itogon road in Benguet were closed to traffic due to landslides.
He advised the motorists to take the Marcos Highway in going to Baguio City.
Palawan, too
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) received reports of flooding and a landslide in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
Information reaching the NDRRMC operations center in Camp Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo showed that a landslide occurred around 5 p.m. Saturday at Km 35 and 37 Montible-Napsan Road, Puerto Princesa City.
No casualty was reported, but two families near the landslide area were evacuated.
PAGASA said fisherfolk and small sea crafts were still advised not to venture out over the seaboards of Luzon and Visayas due to big waves generated by the storm.
Celebrating the rain
In Cagayan Valley, OCD Region 2 Spokesman Philip Labuguen said the farmers were celebrating Egay’s rains.
“The rains gave relief to the growing crops affected by the prolonged dry spell in the Cagayan Valley region,” Labuguen told the Manila Bulletin.
However, he warned the residents to take extra precaution while the typhoon is hitting the province.
He added that the local government units (LGUs) in Isabela province are strictly implementing the liquor ban and “no sail and fishing ban policy” to ensure the safety of the residents.
In Aurora, isolated rains and relatively strong winds were experienced only in Dinalungan, Casiguran, and Dilasag
Another storm coming
PAGASA, meantime, is monitoring a typhoon with international name “Chan-hom” that may enter the PAR by Tuesday.
Once it enters the PAR, it will be given a local name of “Falcon.”
PAGASA does not expect Chan-hom to make landfall but may enhance the southwest monsoon or habagat.
Zero casualty
Malacañang assured that government has mobilized its resources to attain the goal of “zero casualty” in dealing with tropical storm Egay.
Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said concerned government agencies have already prepositioned relief goods and other resources while quick release funds for additional needs are also available.
“We should not worry because we have adequate funds for contingency measures that will be implemented by the government,” he said. (With reports from Freddie G. Lazaro, Ariel P. Avendaño, Genalyn D. Kabiling and PNA)