Manila: Thirteen people were confirmed dead in the Philippines on Sunday as typhoon Nari exited country on its way to Vietnam.
Nari, known locally as “Santi” entered the Philippines area of responsibility Friday evening, bringing powerful 150 kilometres per hour winds and 15 millimetres per hour rains over Central Luzon and the northeastern part of the country.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Nari, flashfloods in Central Luzon affected the Bulacan towns of San Miguel and San Ildefonso was well as Arayat, Magalang, Mexico, Masantol, Santa Ana, Mabalacat City, Minalin, Apalit, San Luis, San Pablo in Lubao and Porac in Pampanga province.
Among the fatalities were five from separate areas in people who died when trees uprooted by Nari’s strong winds fell on them. Other deaths were caused by electrocution and drowning from flash flood.
According to the NDRRMC, a policeman assigned to a manoeuvre company posted at a mountain patrol base in Arayat, Pampanga died after an avalanche of mud crashed on his unit.
Police Officer 1 Crecencio Buento died around 1 am Saturday when a mudslide engulfed their patrol base.
Abigail Valte, deputy palace spokesperson said the government is still assessing the damage caused by Nari.
“The total affected population at this time stands at 46,295 families or 219,591 persons, 282 villages in 42 municipalities are affected, in 11 provinces scattered among Regions I, II, III, and IV-A,” she said.
“There are still a number of stranded people requesting help,” she said in an interview with radio station dzRB while pointing out that the coast guard at this time still restricts ship sailings until the weather clears.
According to the PAGASA weather bureau, another weather disturbance, “Wipha” is expected to enter the country by Monday but its location is too distant to have any serious effect.
