MANILA, Philippines -- Even before Storm "Butchoy" entered the Philippine area of responsibility, rains triggered by it already left at least 10 people dead and 43 more missing, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported.
The NDRRMC said two more bodies were retrieved from the ill-fated MV Josielle 2 that sank off El Nido, Palawan Tuesday night, bringing the death toll to seven.
One of the fatalities was identified as Juanito Tito. Fatalities were also reported in Sarangani and Davao City due to flashfloods and landslides.
In Sarangani, the number of missing went down to 37 from yesterday's 58. Many of the reported missing have been rescued in the towns of Glan and Maasim, their names not yet immediately available.
The total number of missing from the rains are 43, including three more missing from the sunken vessel and three others missing in Bgy. Buenavista, Surigao City from a capsized boat.
Rains have affected 4,200 families or over 20,000 persons from six provinces in Luzon and Mindanao.
Of these numbers, 266 families are housed in evacuation centers.
The Office of Civil Defense in Bicol and Caraga are already placed on heightened or blue alert due to the approaching storm.
The NDRRMC reported that the Kalinga-Abra Road, particularly the Talalang Section has been closed to traffic due to a landslide. Clearing operations are ongoing at this time.
The NDRRMC again reiterated its warning to fishermen against going out to sea due to huge waves.
State weather bureau PAGASA said the seaboards of Luzon and the western seaboard of Visayas will have moderate to rough seas and warned against small fishing boats and other small seacrafts against going out to sea.
source: interaksyon.com
