Death toll from Typhoon Gener rises to 10

MANILA (Updated) -- The death toll from Typhoon Gener (international codename: Saola), which battered the country since last week, rose to 10, the state disaster-response agency reported Tuesday.

In its 9 p.m. Tuesday update, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said five persons were injured and two were reported missing, as Gener continues to move northward Tuesday.

Of the fatalities, the NDRRMC said two were killed in a landslide in Benguet province. The victims were identified as Prisca Pacyaya, 64, of Nugget Hill, Ampucao, Itogon town, and Clinton P. Idio, 15, of Copongga, Tublay town.

Pacyaya was about to check a water leak outside their house around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday, when she was hit and covered by a landslide. Her body was recovered by responders and policemen four hours later.

Idio, on the other hand, was driving a motorcycle around 5:30 a.m. Tuesday with two others also in Ucab, Itogon when a landslide came rushing toward them.

Idio was killed in the landslide, while the other passengers of the motorcycle survived.

Pacyaya and Idio were the latest casualties the NDRRMC recorded as of Tuesday night.

The eight other fatalities were identified as Ieyan Hayo, 28, of Barangay Ipan, Mariveles, Bataan; Ronald Necor, 33, of Barangay Pangalcagan, Bugasong, Antique; Merly Datinguinoo, 45, of Barangay Gamao, Tingloy, Batangas; Renante Cimafranca Jauculan Jr., 10, Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte; Bernald Buzon, 35, Tanza, Rizal; Danieles Hipolito, 32-35, Bacoor, Cavite; Teodoro Flores, 40, San Pablo, Laguna; and Ernest Flores of San Benito, Alaminos, Laguna.

The NDRRMC identified the two missing persons as Edgardo Barrey, 42, and Jeric Barrey, 17, both of Barangay Apatot, San Esteban in Ilocos Sur. The two victims were reportedly carried away by strong current while fishing.

Five people were injured, 1,172 houses were damaged, and 49,118 families were affected because of torrential rains brought by Gener, the NDRRMC added.

Most of the affected individuals fled from their houses and are now staying in government evacuation centers and houses of relatives.

In its 11 p.m. Tuesday bulletin, the state weather bureau said Gener, which is located 250 kilometers (km) east northeast of Basco, Batanes, maintained its strength and continues to move slowly northward at seven kilometers per hour (kph).

Gener, packing winds of 120 kph and gusts of 150 kph, still poses a threat to extreme Northern Luzon although it is expected to be out of the country by Thursday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

Seven areas in Luzon remain under storm warning signals.

Experiencing 101-185 kph winds, the Batanes Group of Islands has been placed under signal number 3. Residents in this area are alerted against dangerous travel by land, sea and air; moderate to heavy disruption of electrical power and communication services; considerable damage to structures of light to medium construction; uprooting of some large trees; and heavy damage to agriculture.

Pagasa also placed Cagayan province, Calayan Group of Islands and Babuyan Group of Islands under storm signal number 2. Residents in these areas are warned against moderate damage to agriculture, uprooting of few large trees, un-roofing of nipa and cogon houses, and risk in trips by all types of sea vessels. These areas are also warned against winds of 61 to 100 kph in at least 24 hours.

The provinces of Isabela, Kalinga, and Apayao remain under storm warning signal number 1. Winds of 30 to 60 kph are expected within the next 36 hours in these areas.

Gener is expected to be at 360 km northeast of Basco, Batanes by Wednesday afternoon, the Pagasa said.

Residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas are alerted against possible flash floods and landslides. Likewise, those living in coastal areas under public storm signal numbers 3 and 2 are alerted against big waves or storm surges.

Gener is the seventh of 20 typhoons and storms expected to hit the Philippines this year. Its international name, “Saola,” is the name of a rare mammal found in Vietnam and Laos. (JM Agreda of Sun.Star Baguio/With AP/Sunnex)