THE National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said all it units remain on a red alert status on Monday, October 17, in anticipation of Super Typhoon Haima.
NDRRMC spokesperson Romina Marasigan said while they were still assessing the damage caused by Typhoon Karen, which exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Sunday, October 16, they are also preparing for the storm heading toward northern Luzon.
"Lumabas na ang rapid damage assessment and needs assessment teams para makakuha pa tayo ng mas komprehensibong report kung kumusta po ang mga naging impact ng bagyong Karen (We have deployed rapid damage and needs assessment teams to get a more comprehensive report on impact of Typhoon Karen)," she added.
Typhoon Haima, which will be named "Lawin" once it enters the PAR on Monday afternoon, is likely to affect the provinces hit by Typhoon Karen over the weekend.
Marasigan said there were reported casualties during the onslaught of Typhoon Karen but they were still verifying them.
NDRRMC record showed that some 11,926 families or 52,270 individuals were affected by the typhoon in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol Region and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), causing 5,444 families or 24,693 persons to remain in 316 evacuation centers.
As of 4 a.m. Monday, October 17, about 160 passengers, 14 vessels, and four motorboats were stranded in sea ports in Central Visayas, Palawan, Western Visayas, and northeastern Luzon.
"Initial estimate of the typhoon's damage to agriculture in Bicol and CAR was at P572.84 million," said Marasigan.
She said P2,223,067-million worth of relief assistance was provided to the affected population. (Sunnex)