TEN people were confirmed dead in a landslide that hit a farming village in Malapatan, Sarangani, and nearly 50,000 people were affected by Typhoon Inday (international name: Bavi) and the enhanced southwest monsoon, disaster officials said as the cyclone weakened and moved toward Taiwan.
Malapatan Mayor Salway Sumbo Jr. said the landslide occurred at Sitio Pandaw, Barangay Poblacion, at about 3 a.m. during a heavy downpour caused by the tail end of Typhoon Inday in the province.
The fatalities were survivors of the recent magnitude 7.8 earthquake that rocked the Soccsksargen region.
Based on the latest data from the Office of Civil Defense, 10,984 families, or nearly 50,000 individuals, in Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region and Soccsksargen have been affected by the combined effects of the typhoon and the enhanced southwest monsoon.
Of the affected population, 1,777 families are currently taking shelter in 22 evacuation centers.
The enhanced “habagat” also triggered widespread flooding and landslides in parts of Mindanao.
The OCD reported 74 flooded areas across Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The agency also reported two drowning deaths in Bukidnon, although it said the fatalities are still undergoing verification.
To support ongoing response operations, the OCD said food and non-food relief items, emergency responders, and search, rescue and retrieval teams have been positioned in affected areas.
The agency added that preemptive evacuations remain underway in high-risk communities to protect residents and ensure a timely and orderly government response.
“The OCD remains in close coordination with local government units and partner agencies as it continues to monitor the effects of Typhoon Inday and the enhanced southwest monsoon, particularly in Mindanao,” the agency said.
Authorities also remain on alert in parts of the Visayas and Luzon expected to experience adverse weather as the typhoon continues to influence weather conditions across the country.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Typhoon Inday continued to weaken Friday as it tracked northwestward over the Philippine Sea toward the waters east of Taiwan, although it warned that Northern Luzon could still experience strong winds and heavy rains.
In its 11 a.m. tropical cyclone bulletin, Pagasa said the center of the typhoon was estimated at 570 kilometers east of Itbayat, Batanes.
The cyclone was moving northwestward at 20 kilometers per hour with maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour near the center, gusts reaching 170 kph, and a central pressure of 960 hectopascals.
Pagasa maintained Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 over Batanes, the eastern portion of the Babuyan Islands, and the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan.
Signal No. 1 remained in effect over the rest of the Babuyan Islands, the rest of mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Apayao, Kalinga, Ilocos Norte, the northern portion of Abra, and the eastern portions of Mountain Province and Ifugao.
The weather bureau warned that heavy rainfall and damaging winds may still occur even in areas outside the forecast landfall point and confidence cone, urging residents to remain vigilant.
Pagasa said Inday is expected to continue moving northwestward while remaining over the Philippine Sea and is forecast to pass closest to Extreme Northern Luzon between Friday night and Saturday morning.
The typhoon is then expected to head toward the southern islands of Japan and may pass close to or make landfall along the northern coast of Taiwan before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Saturday morning or afternoon.
After leaving the country’s area of responsibility, Inday is forecast to make landfall along the eastern coast of mainland China by Saturday evening or early Sunday, where it is expected to weaken into a severe tropical storm as it moves farther inland.
Despite its gradual weakening, Pagasa said Inday is expected to remain a typhoon while inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
Police assessment
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Friday ordered all police commanders to immediately conduct post-typhoon assessments in their respective areas of responsibility to give concerned government agencies a clear picture of the situation on the ground.
Nartatez noted that post-typhoon assessment is necessary in coming up with all the disaster management and response plans in every particular area, especially in communities that may have been severely affected by the weather disturbance.
“Every minute matters in emergency and disaster responses, so my order is for every chief of police to immediately conduct a post-typhoon assessment to come up with the best plan to assist all our affected kababayan,” said Nartatez.
WITH JAMES DANIEL DANIO, ALLEN LIMOS, PNA, AFP
