Tropical depression “Ambo” (international name “Vongfong”) has affected 9,791 families or 40,980 individuals in the country, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said yesterday.
NDRRMC Executive Director Ricardo Jalad said the affected families are from 44 cities and municipalities in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon (Calabarzon or Region 4A) and Eastern Visayas (Region 8).
The NDRRMC is verifying reports that four persons died in Eastern Samar due to Ambo. The Office of Civil Defense in Region 8 had earlier said that five persons were injured by Ambo in Eastern Visayas.
“We have to make sure that the reports of casualties that we are receiving from the ground are really related to Ambo so their families will receive the necessary assistance from the national government,” said NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Timbal.
Jalad said P79,926,565.30 damage to agriculture was incurred in Bicol (Region 5).
Among those affected were rice and corn fields, high-value crops, livestock, fisheries, and coconut farms in Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon.
The San Pedro Bridge in Madella, Quirino was closed to traffic due to flooding while the Marikina to Infanta Road was rendered impassable because of a landslide, Jalad said.
On-going clearing operations are being conducted at Junction Taft-Oras-San Policarpo-Arteche Road which was earlier reported closed to the public because of fallen trees.
LPA SOON
Ambo will likely weaken to a low-pressure area within 12 to 24 hours while on its way outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said Ambo remains inside the PAR before noon yesterday at 210 kilometers northwest of Calayan, Cagayan or 185 kms west of Basco, Batanes.
Ambo has maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of 55 kph. However, Signal No. 1 remains hoisted over Batanes as moderate to heavy rains may still prevail.
PAGASA advised fisherfolk and those with small seacraft not to sail into the coast of Batanes due to big waves.
Light to moderate rains with at times heavy rains may also affect Babuyan Islands.
Should it maintain its northward track at 20 kph, will likely be outside the PAR today.
PAGASA said Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have warm and humid weather with a possibility of isolated rain showers in the afternoon or evening. (Martin Sadongdong and Ellalyn Ruiz)