Storm “LANDO” leaves nine killed, five injured and two missing in affected regions; new storm expected

By Ronron
November 20, 2007

Nine people died, five were hurt and two remain missing as tropical storm “Lando” brought heavy rains in some parts of the country the past few days, causing landslides and heavy flooding, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC)) reported Tuesday.

According to the NDCC report, five of those killed were from the landslide incident in Placer, Surigao del Norte last Monday; two were from another landslide incident in Barangay Cagniog, Surigao City; one is from a flashflood in Barangay To-ong, Cebu City; and one is from Iligan City in Lanao del Norte.

Those injured, meanwhile, include three from a landslide incident in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City, and two from the landslide incident in Barangay Cagniog, Surigao City.

The two missing are among the miners affected by the landslide in Placer, Surigao del Norte, the NDCC said.

The flooding and landslides caused by “Lando” have affected a total of 3,276 families or 16,463 persons from Regions V, VI, X and Caraga, the NDCC said.

In Region V, particularly in Albay province, 121 families or 703 persons were affected, all of whom were evacuated.

In Region VI, particularly in Negros Occidental province, 93 families or 465 people were affected but need not be evacuated.

In Region X, the affected families were 2,997, consisting of 14,990 individuals, most of whom – 2,349 families or 11,750 persons – have been evacuated. The affected people are from Lanao del Norte and Misamis Oriental provinces.

Local authorities in Iligan City have already declared a State of Calamity due to the severe damages left by the storm, such as the damage of four houses, and the collapse of four transmission towers.

Lastly, in Caraga Region, 65 families or 305 persons from Surigao del Norte province were affected.

In Cebu City, four houses were partially damaged, four electric posts were destroyed, and electricity and water supply were temporarily stopped.

Prisco Nilo, Deputy Director for Operations and Services of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said “Lando” is already expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) around noontime today (Wednesday), through the South China Sea.

But he warned that another tropical depression is expected to replace “Lando” later Wednesday.

Nilo said “Mina” is projected to enter the PAR late Wednesday and to hit landfall in four or five days.

He said it will affect the Bicol Region, the Visayas and northeastern Mindanao again.

PAGASA, Nilo said, is expecting no more than three severe weather disturbances by the end of the year after “Mina.”/DMS