Because of the strong winds spawned by Tropical Storm
“Urduja,” this hut made of bamboo and light materials in Barangay Lapaz, Bogo
City in northern Cebu was blown away several meters from its original location.
This photo was taken on Dec. 17, 2017, hours after Urduja crossed the northern
section of Cebu island. (Tonee Despojo, Cebu Daily News)
Landslides triggered by Tropical Storm Urduja (International
name Kai-Tak) have killed 26 people in the Eastern Visayas island province of
Biliran, authorities said Sunday, a day after the storm pounded the Visayas. Other reports state at least 49 people dead.
“There is a total of 26 people dead from landslides in four
towns of Biliran. We have recovered the bodies,” Sofronio Dacillo, Biliran
provincial disaster risk reduction and management officer, told AFP.
Gerardo Espina, governor of the island province east of the
much larger island of Leyte, gave the same figure for deaths in an interview on
ABS-CBN television.
President Rodrigo Duterte is on his way to Biliran to personally check on the situation in the province, according to Malacanang.
Scene in Brgy. Macalpi Calbiran Biliran. Photo: Jade Pardilla Sy from FB page of Biliran Island.
“Urduja” also left one dead and eight persons missing as
heavy rain caused flash floods and landslides in several towns in Masbate
province, reports from the Masbate Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction
Management Office (PDRRMO) said.
Genalyn Decante, 42, died after she was swept away by flood
in Sitio (sub-village) Ilawod in Barangay (village) Sta. Cruz in Palanas town.
Eight remained missing in the same town.
Flash floods were reported in Barangay Uson, also in
Palanas; Barangay Tugbo, Masbate City; and five villages in Uson town.
An elderly couple died after their house was hit by a
landslide in Barangay Mabini, San Fernando town in Sibuyan Island of Romblon
province at 8 a.m. on Sunday.
Landslide clearing and rescue operations in Lucsoon, Naval, Biliran. Photo: Michael Lloyd Dino
Tropical Depression Vinta is coming, Cebu prepares
Even before Cebu can take a breather from the days of
incessant rain spawned by Tropical Storm Urduja, another typhoon is expected to
unleash strong winds and rainfall in Cebu by Christmas.
Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office
(CCDRRMO) head Nagiel Bañacia yesterday asked Cebuanos to not let their guards
down as another weather disturbance is again headed for the Visayas.
The storm, which is brewing more than a thousand kilometers
east of Mindanao, would likely enter the Philippine area of responsibility
(PAR) by December 22 according to Pagasa and would be named Vinta.
Vinta was spotted 1,950 km east of Mindanao as of 5 p.m.
yesterday. It was predicted to make landfall in Eastern Mindanao or
Eastern Visayas if it would stay on its current track.
Pagasa–Mactan chief Al Quiblat said that while there is a
big chance that the storm would enter PAR and affect Cebu, it would
be too early to say what would be its strength. However, he said, it is best for the public to be prepared. - From Reports
