9 dead from monsoon, back-to-back cyclones

Several flights were canceled, classes and office work suspended and flooding caused massive traffic jams yesterday, as the death toll from the heavy rains, floods and landslides in various parts of the country due to Typhoon Carina rose to nine.

- MICHAEL PUNONGBAYAN

Two persons were injured and one reported missing, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

The fatalities include four persons in Zamboanga Peninsula, two in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and one each in Northern Mindanao and the Davao Region.

In Barangay 96, Tondo, Manila, a teenager was found dead after drowning under Infanta Bridge on Monday night.

According to police, 13-yearold Khaydel Buensoleso was swimming in the Infanta River at around 6:20 p.m. when a heavy current swept him away. Personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) assisted in the search and rescue and later found the victim’s body.

Heavy rains and flooding affected 179,744 families or 866,483 people in the same areas and more in Western and Central Visayas, Central Mindanao, the CARAGA Region and the MIMAROPA Region.

Of the number, the NDRRMC said some 7,738 families or 33,645 people had to be brought to 56 evacuation centers.

Estimated damage to agriculture in Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao and BARMM has reached more than P8.7 million, while reported damage to infrastructure remains at P700,000, apart from reported damage to houses placed at around P2.5 million.

The NDRRMC said the southwest monsoon has brought moderate to heavy rains over different provinces in the country since July 11, enhanced by Typhoons Butchoy and Carina.

So far, the government, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), has provided more than P29 million worth of assistance to displaced and severely affected families.

Work, classes suspended

Malacañang suspended work in government offices and classes in all levels in Metro Manila on Tuesday afternoon due to heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon and Typhoon Carina.