Storm Dante leaves at least 3 dead as it veers west over Luzon mainland
THREE people were reported dead while one was missing as tropical storm Dante struck several parts in the southern and central parts of the country, according to the national disaster council.
Of the deaths, two were recorded in Davao Region while the other one was reported in the Soccsksargen Region, both in Mindanao, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said in its report on Wednesday.
Two people were injured in Davao while one was reported missing in Soccsksargen, it said.
The casualties were mainly due to flashfloods and landslides following heavy rains dumped by Dante, with international name Choi-wan.
As of morning of June 2, there were 566 households affected, including 160 families who were still in evacuation centers.
NDRRMC said the typhoon left at least P8 million worth of agricultural damage.
Palace spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr., said the NDRRMC has already issued necessary warnings and reminders to local governments as Dante approached the eastern coast of Mindoro as of Wednesday.
“We continue to monitor tropical storm Dante as it moves northwestward towards the southwestern portion of Batangas, northeastern portion of Oriental Mindoro,” Mr. Roque said, citing the weather bureau.
He said the Social Welfare department has “standby funds amounting to P1.105-B, including P113-M worth of 222,382 family food packs.”
“Clearing operations to severely affected areas have likewise been conducted,” Mr. Roque said.
As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, the storm was located over the coastal waters of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kms/h) near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kms/h, weather bureau PAGASA said.
The typhoon, the fourth to enter the Philippine area this year, made six landfalls as it veered northwest over mainland Luzon. It was expected to make a 7th landfall over Bataan Wednesday night.
PAGASA forecasts Dante to weaken into a tropical depression by Wednesday night or Thursday morning as it heads over the West Philippine Sea. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
