Rescuers in Cordillera die during Ompong
MANILA — Two rescuers were reported killed in the Cordillera as they were conducting operations in areas affected by Typhoon Ompong.
At a press briefing yesterday, NDRRMC Executive Director and Office of Civil Defense Administrator Ricardo Jalad said the two deaths — the first ones reported during the onslaught of the typhoon — were included in the 51 incident reports in the region.
"Dito sa Cordillera, as of now, meron nang 51 incidents and reported na nangyari dun, 42 dun ay landslides," Jalad said. "Confirmed na dalawa ang patay dun, parehong mga responders na tumugon sa pagligtas ng mga naapektuhan," he added.
As of 1 p.m. yesterday, the eye of Ompong was seen 85 kilometers of Laoag City in Ilocos Norte. It has maintained strength and speed while on its way out of the Philippine landmass, state weather bureau PAGASA said early yesterday afternoon.
It packs maximum sustained winds of 170 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 260 kph. Moving west northwest at 25 kilometers per hour, the typhoon was predicted to exit the Philippine area of Responsibility yesterday evening.
Ompong ripped off roofs, uprooted trees, knocked out power and communication lines and triggered floods and landslides in northern Luzon.
Disaster officials earlier estimated that the wrath of Ompong will be felt by over 5.2 million individuals. It however started to weaken after it hit the land but many areas were still under storm signal warnings.
Ompong lashed northern Luzon early Saturday, toppling trees and power lines, and forcing thousands of families to evacuate.
The strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this year by far, Ompong triggered landslides in several parts of the Cordillera region, forcing several road closures in the area. At least five landslides were recorded in Baguio City alone since early yesterday morning.
Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said clearing operations in the region were already underway, and that the public may expect several closed roads in northern Luzon to be reopened later yesterday.
Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba meanwhile appealed for help from the national government yesterday, hours after Ompong made landfall in Baggao town, Cagayan, where Ompong made landfall causing heavy damage but without any casualty.
Winds brought by Ompong peeled off the Provincial Capitol's roof and flattened the province's rice and corn fields, said Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III.
No casualties have been reported as of 10 a.m., but power was cut off in the entire province while communication signals have been intermittent as Ompong barrels away from Cagayan towards Ilocos.
"We need a lot of help and we want to get assistance from national government," Mamba said in a phone interview on ANC. The governor likened Ompong's onslaught to the damage brought by Typhoon Lawin in 2016 when at least "14,000 houses were completely destroyed."
The provincial government has set aside a standby fund but it may not be enough to cover all damage, Mamba said. — PhilStar. com, GMA News, and ABSCBN News