A TORNADO ripped through Manapla town in northern Negros, and left a damage on more than 80 houses and structures Tuesday.
As of 8 p.m. Tuesday, records showed that four houses were destroyed while 82 others were damaged when the tornado swooped down Barangay 1-around 12:45 p.m.
Fritzie Matunding, administrative and training officer of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said the tornado, which lasted for 15 to 20 minutes, also damaged the barangay covered court, church, and Project Dungganon center.
He said the covered court was rehabilitated only last year after it was damaged in 2013 by super typhoon Yolanda.
Matunding described the wind as “very strong,” adding that it toppled down some trees and blown off roofs from houses and structures, including the covered court and the church.
He added that two persons sustained minor injuries – one stepped on a glass shrapnel while the other held a part of the roof that was blown away.
Before the tornado, the sun was up, then the clouds appeared black, but there was no rainfall. It only rained after the tornado
Matunding said there was no evacuation among the affected residents as they opted to stay in their homes.
Assistance extended
Manapla Mayor Lourdes Escalante said that rice and food packs were distributed to the affected families.
She said that assessment of damage is ongoing to determine if there is a need for the municipal government to extend financial assistance.
“We’re still assessing the damage for each household,” she said.
Last November 26, a tornado also hit 21 houses at Barangay Inolingan in Moises Padilla.
Two houses were destroyed while 19 others were damaged when the tornado swept through Hacienda Salapid around 2:30 p.m.
On October 28, water spouts or “buhawi” were also reported in Barangays Tabao Proper, Central Tabao, and Bagumbayan in Valladolid town.
The spouts destroyed a house and damaged six others.