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By APD writer Melo M. Acuna
MANILA ,Dec 18(APD)– Tropical Depression “Urduja” has left the Philippine archipelago and now moving towards South China Sea afer crossing Palawan province earlier today.
Ms. Romina Marasigan, chief of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s Public Affairs Office said 26 people died while 46 others have remained missing in Biliran
Province in Eastern Visayas.
There were 34 persons reported injured with 26 of them from Tacloban City while eight others from Leyte and Samar provinces were also reported by government health facility workers.
In a press briefing at midday today, Marasigan said 44,369 families have fed to 608 evacuation centers in Bicol, Western, Eastern, and Central Visayas, CARAGA and MIMAROPA.
“Four bridges have remained unpassable in Biliran, Leyte and Samar provinces along with 16 road sections due to landslides,” she said.
She added partial reports reaching her office disclosed some 48 homes have been totally destroyed while 101 others suffered partial damage.
“The government has respondent with over P37 million worth of food and non-food items distributed to the typhoon victims,” Ms. Marasigan further said.
“Urduja” packed winds from 70 – 105 kilometers per hour but has weakened to 55 kilometers per hour maximum winds.
No reports have been released on damage to agriculture and other facilities as of this writing.
Government weather specialists have focused their attention to another weather disturbance said to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility within the next few days.
Ms. Marasigan was quoted saying people leaving for the Visayas should avail themselves of fair weather today and tomorrow but cautioned those who plan to leave over the weekend of the possibility of being stranded in piers as ferry services are suspended during severe weather conditions.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
