Typhoon Bopha hits Philippines

Typhoon Bopha, the strongest storm to hit the country this year, killed at least 82 people in total after making landfall on the east coast of Mindanao island at dawn, packing winds of 210 kilometres (130 miles) an hour. 

The typhoon brought driving rain and strong winds to Mindanao, toppling trees and power lines, causing localised flooding and forcing more than 56,000 to seek refuge in emergency shelters, the civil defence office said.

Large parts of Mindanao, which is not normally hit by typhoons, were still without electricity on Tuesday night, it added.

Typhoon Bopha comes after tropical storm Washi hit Mindanao in December last year, killing more than 1,200 and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless.

Residents evacuate to safer grounds in anticipation of Typhoon Bopha in Butuan city in southeastern Philippines Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012.

 

 

 

 

Residents walk back to their homes after Typhoon Bopha made landfall in Compostela Valley in southeastern Philippines.

Residents retrieve their belongings after their house was destroyed by a fallen tree caused by Typhoon Bopha.

Residents take temporary shelter at an evacuation center as local officials ordered enforced evacuation ahead of Typhoon Bopha.

Thousands evacuated due to Typhoon ‘Pablo’—NDRRMC

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MANILA, Philippines – Tens of thousands were forcibly evacuated in several areas as Typhoon “Pablo” (international name Bopha) headed towards land, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Tuesday.

Photo Credit from Mr. Florencio Pimentel, PDRRM Officer of Surigao del Sur

A total of 8,283 families or 41,608 persons were evacuated in Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao and Caraga region.

There are 972 evacuation centers as of posting time.

The storm, seen to be the most powerful this year, has also left over 3,000 passengers marooned in ports, the NDRRMC said.

As of Monday, there were 3,406 passengers, 133 rolling cargoes, 87 vessels and 46 motor bancas stranded in ports nationwide.

Over 80 domestic flights were also grounded due to the storm.

It also prompted authorities to suspend classes in all levels in Mandaue City, Cebu City, Dumaguete City, Caraga region, and selected areas in Davao region.

The following areas were also declared high-risk for storm surge, flooding and landslides: 

• Libacao, Kalibo, Numancia, Aklan province 

• Hamtic and San Remegio, Antique province 

• Maasin, Alimodian, Miga-ao, Tubungan, Leon, Calinog, Mina, Iloilo province 

• Sigma, Mambusao, Cuartero, Dao, Capiz province 

• San Carlos City, Negros Occidental province

The government, meanwhile, has prepositioned P3.70 million standby funds and P38.64million worth of relief supplies.

Police, coast guard and military teams were also placed on standby for possible deployment.

Pablo made landfall over Davao Oriental early Tuesday. 

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net