Gener leaves 3 dead, 4 injured in Cordillera

RAIN volume doubled in the past 24 hours in Cordillera region as Typhoon Gener exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility Thursday, inducing the southwest monsoon, the state weather bureau reported.

Strong rains were recorded in the past three days from 242 millimeters of rain volume last Tuesday rose to 246 millimeters on Wednesday and nearly doubled on Thursday at 464 millimeters, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical & Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said, adding that is the highest amount of rainfall experienced by Baguio City this year.

The Cordillera Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) remained on red alert since Monday to monitor and mitigate the effects of the typhoon, Andrew Alex Uy, Office of Civil Defense assistant regional director, said.

The death toll rose to three on Thursday when 34-year-old Efren Forawit, of Demang, Sadanga, Mt. Province, drowned.

Two more injured persons were also reported Thursday as Jennilyn Pallo, 38 of Sitio Silin, Tocucan, Bontoc, Mt. Province and Veronica Bautista, 19 of Botiwtiw, Balili, La Trinidad, Benguet were hurt in a landslide.

In Hingyon, Ifugao province, two persons identified as Ezekiel Calubaguib and Rona Del Ramos, who figured on a motorcycle accident, are now recovering from their injuries.

Also, two 15-year-old teenagers identified as Jerry Turo and John Regueros are still missing.

The CDRRMC said some 61 barangays, composed of 873 families or 4,120 persons, were affected by the typhoon. Numbers of evacuated families rose to more than 100 families as more than 450 persons stayed in five evacuation centers while others stayed with their relatives.

Some 13 houses were destroyed by the typhoon while 93 houses were reported to have been damaged by the strong winds and heavy rains.

Benguet Governor Nestor Fongwan and Baguio Mayor Mauricio Domogan immediately suspended classes in all levels since Tuesday as monsoon rains continue to batter the province.

CDRRMC member agencies identified priority areas for pre-emptive evacuation especially high risk communities like City Camp barangay in Baguio City due to possible flashflood and barangays Puguis in La Trinidad, Ambassador in Tublay, Luneta in Itogon, Camp 6 in Tuba all in Benguet province due to possible landslide.

At City Camp Lagoon, City Administrator Carlos Canilao, chair of the local CDRRMC, said some 150 residents have been placed in preemptive evacuation as 12 houses were submerged in rising waters.

A bayanihan system was implemented by city and barangay officials to monitor and declog the gigantic screens placed in the drainage of the lagoon to the Asin River.

Baguio City Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council responded to some 24 fallen tree incidents, 10 fallen electrical posts problem resulting to power outages, 8 minor streets and barangay flooding incidents, and 7 minor landslide incidents in the Summer Capital since July 30.

According to Pagasa, stormy weather was still experienced in Baguio, Benguet and parts of Mt. Province on Thursday due to induced southwest monsoon while Typhoon Gener made landfall in Taiwan.

As of 12 noon Thursday, the eye of Typhoon Gener was located based on satellite and surface data at 370 km North Northwest of Basco, Batanes with maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Cordillera continuously conducted road clearing operations using their prepositioned heavy equipment but continuous stormy weather resulted in recurring landslides in several major roads.

Eight major roads are still not passable as of 1 p.m. Thursday, the DPWH reported.