‘Salome’ exiting PH; scores evacuated

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported yesterday that tropical storm “Salome” was moving away of the country to the West Philippine Sea while maintaining its strength.

PAGASA noted that “Salome” was last tracked at 90 kilometers west southwest of Iba, Zambales with maximum sustained winds of up to 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 100 kph.

With this condition signal No. 1 remains hoisted over the provinces of Cavite, Batangas, Bataan, and Zambales as moderate to heavy rainfall is expected within Salome’s 200-km diameter.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said yesterday that nine families or 52 persons in Oriental Mindoro and Quezon provinces were adversely affected by tropical storm “Salome” which battered parts of the country.

NDRRMC Executive Director and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Administrator Ricardo B. Jalad said four families or 20 persons from Barangay Calubayan, Socorro, Oriental Mindoro were evachated to the Calubayan Elementary School, due to bad weather.

Meanwhile, five families or 32 persons in the municipalities of Gordon and Poblacion 5, Quezon, were also evacuated from their respective barangays due to strong winds and rains.