Tropical Storm “Ramil” left at least seven people dead and affected over 173,000 individuals across four regions in Luzon and Visayas, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported Monday, Oct. 20.
According to the agency, 56,000 families from Cagayan Valley (Region 2), Central Luzon (Region 3), Western Visayas (Region 6), and Eastern Visayas (Region 8) were hit by the storm’s heavy rains and strong winds.
Seven fatalities were confirmed—five in Calabarzon (Region 4A) and two in Western Visayas—due to flooding and falling debris.
The fatalities include a family of five in Pitogo, Quezon who were pinned to death due to a fallen buli tree, and two residents in Capiz who drowned while crossing a flooded street and river.
“Because of Ramil, we have 56,000 families affected by the storm, totaling 173,000 individuals.
As for casualties, eight deaths were initially reported but the latest data confirms seven, since one of those earlier reported dead was found to be alive.
The number has been reduced accordingly,” Office of Civil Defense (OCD) spokesperson Junie Castillo said.
There were also two persons reported missing in Eastern Samar. “Search and rescue operations are ongoing as of the moment,” Castillo noted.
At least 2,260 families or 7,511 individuals were staying in 166 evacuation centers while another 1,720 families or 6,199 individuals were being assisted outside evacuation sites.
PREEMPTIVE EVACUATION
In anticipation of the storm’s impact, authorities conducted pre-emptive evacuations affecting 9,825 families or 28,472 individuals in vulnerable communities.
Infrastructure was also heavily affected as the NDRRMC reported that seven of 12 road sections in Region 6 remained impassable while 10 bridges in Region 2 were still closed due to flooding or structural damage.
Power interruptions were reported in eight areas across Region 4A and 6.
Meanwhile, maritime operations were disrupted with 58 seaports halting trips in Regions 3, 4A, Mimaropa (Region 4B), and Bicol (Region 5). This left 4,178 passengers, 1,433 rolling cargoes, 13 vessels, and 26 motorbancas stranded.
The storm also damaged at least 68 houses: 57 were partially damaged and 11 were totally destroyed, all in Region 6.
Roxas City, Capiz in Region 6 has since been placed under a state of calamity to facilitate emergency response and recovery operations. (Martin Sadongdong)
