The Philippines need your help

Tonsu · October 23, 2009

My goodness, when will all this end? :(

Of course, disaster relief has to continue well beyond the actual disaster itself - hundreds of thousands of people will be desperate for aid to continue in the coming months. In some cases, it will take years to put lives back together again...:cry:

The Red Cross and other organisations are doing absolutely incredible, yet absolutely necessary, work. I hope people will support them as much as they can.

Thank you for the tremendous work with the updates, Nancy. I've been too busy recently to get online much, and it is impossible to find details like this just from the newspapers and TV here in the UK...in fact there is hardly any mention at all - It's absolutely shocking that more people here don't know what's going on :(

nancyk58 · October 23, 2009

A good source of news about the situation in the Philippines with all details is GMA NEWS.DK.

Articles to follow after my lunch. NANCY

nancyk58 · October 23, 2009

RED CROSS HELPING THE PHILIPPINES

http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.1a019a978f421296e81ec89e43181aa0/?vgnextoid=5ba195bd89074210VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD#

RED CROSS MOBILIZES RELIEF SUPPLIES AND VOLUNTEERS AHEAD OF PHILIPPINES TYPHOON

THIRD TYPHOON IN A MONTH threatens to cause more flooding and landslides in the Philippines

By Eric Porterfield, Sr. Press Officer, American Red Cross

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

As residents in the flood-weary Philippines continue to recover from two recent typhoons, another storm heads for the NORTHERN LUZON REGION. TYPHOON LUPIT is expected to make landfall as a category 1 or 2 storm on Thursday with wind speeds in excess of 110 mph.

“Thousands of people are still living in evacuation centers, mostly schools, or living on the second floor of their homes as the first floor is still under water,” says Cristina Hammond, American Red Cross disaster specialist in the Philippines.

The Philippines Red Cross staff and volunteers who have been preparing for and responding to typhoons for four weeks are pre-positioning more relief supplies and putting specially trained search and rescue teams with rubber boats on standby prior to the typhoon’s landfall. The Red Cross operations center in Manila is working hand-in-hand with weather forecasters and running around the clock to plan before the storm.

“Operations center staff are discussing how best to prepare and how to send reinforcements to help local staff and volunteers who are exhausted and that might also be affected by the storm,” adds Hammond.

Within the last month, two other storms have hit the Philippines. Typhoons KETSANA and PARMA caused severe flooding and landslides, affecting 6.3 million people and killing 773.

The AMERICAN RED CROSS has sent two disasters specialists and committed $900,000 to the Philippines to assist with the ongoing relief operation, including $100,000 of RELIEF SUPPLIES such as kitchen kits, blankets, jerry cans for collecting clean water and mosquito nets and a $500,000 grant from the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance.

YOU can HELP the VICTIMS of countless crises around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need.

DONATIONS to the International Response Fund can be sent to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or made by phone at 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or online at http://www.redcross.org.

GMA News.TV on Friday, 23 October 2009

Ramil almost stationary; landfall delayed to Sunday

More families evacuated in Cagayan, Ilocos areas as Ramil nears

Pagasa: Ramil to make landfall late Friday or early Saturday

RAMIL WEAKENS INTO A TROPICAL STORM

10/23/2009 | 06:43 PM

State weather forecasters decreased the number of areas under Storm Signal No. 3 as Typhoon Ramil weakened into a tropical storm Friday afternoon.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Ramil's strength has decreased, now with maximum sustained winds of 105 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 135 kph.

Ramil remains almost stationary with its center 110 kms east northeast of Appari in Cagayan, Pagasa said. The Japan Meteorological Agency, however, showed the cyclone veering further away from northern Luzon.

Repeatedly asked in an earlier media briefing about exactly when Ramil is expected to make a landfall, Pagasa spokesman Nathaniel Cruz emphasized that the exact time and place of the landfall is already immaterial, since even at the storm’s current position, northern Cagayan and the outlying islands are already feeling its full fury.

Earlier at 10 a.m., Pagasa said Ramil packed maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph, prompting the state weather bureau to place under Signal No. 3 (where the strength of winds range from 101 kph-185 kph) the Batanes Group of Islands, Cagayan, Calayan Island, Babuyan Islands, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte.

But as of 5 p.m. only Northern Cagayan, the Batanes Group of Islands, Calayan Islands, and Babuyan Islands remained under storm Signal No. 3

Areas under storm signal No. 2 (60-100 kph winds) are the rest of Cagayan, Ilocos Norte and Apayao, while under Signal No. 1 (30-60 kph winds) are Ilocos Sur, Abra, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Isabela, Ifugao, Quirino, and Northern Aurora.

As in previous advisories, Pagasa reminded residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes under storm signals to take precautions against possible flashfloods and landslides.

It also reminded those living along the coast in areas under signals No. 2 and No. 3 against storm surge and big waves generated by the typhoon.

According to Pagasa, Ramil is expected to be 105 km northeast of Aparri by Saturday afternoon, 115 km northeast of the same area by Sunday afternoon, and 140 km north northeast of Aparri by Monday afternoon.

RAMIL comes on the heels of two cyclones that devastated parts of NORTHERN LUZON: tropical storm "ONDOY," and typhoon "PEPENG." Both caused massive flooding and loss of lives in Metro Manila and other Luzon areas.

Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV

SIGNAL NO. WIND SPEED DURATION

Signal No. 1 30 - 60 kph Expected in 36 hours

Signal No. 2 61 -100 kbp Expected in 24 hours

Signal No. 3 101-185 kbp Expected in 18 hours

Signal No. 4 186 kph above Expected in 12 hours

nancyk58 · October 23, 2009

The Philippines mentioned in Danish News from the Danish TV Channel DR1 at 21.20 (Friday 23 October 2009).

The viewers were told that a large part of the capital Manila was still flooded, that a total of 157 people had died and that 2000 people had caught a disease. We were also told that recently the Philippines were struck by 2 typhoons. Not mentioned was the threatening third typhoon.

nancyk58 · October 24, 2009

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA – SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER 2009

As Typhoon Ramil (international name Lupit) continued to close in on northern Luzon, authorities in Cagayan and Ilocos Norte provinces preemptively evacuated more families in coastal areas. - 23 October 2009

Cagayan Governor Alvaro Antonio said Friday that at least 300 families from low-lying and coastal areas had been brought to various designated evacuation centers. Those living near the foot of mountains and near the Cagayan River and its tributaries are also being evacuated.

“We’re more prepared now," he said in an interview on dzXL radio.

The province was among the hardest hit areas by tropical cyclone Pepeng (Parma), which made landfall in northern Luzon thrice earlier this month.

Antonio said he already gave local officials in the province instructions to ensure zero casualty.

Earlier, radio dzBB’s Carlo Mateo reported that as of 6 p.m. Thursday, 187 families or 995 people were evacuated, including those from Sta. Ana, Gonzaga, Aparri and Pamplona towns.

RELATED STORIES

» No weather disturbance to affect RP as Ramil exits

» Pinoy kids sell their toys, raise P22K for typhoon victims

nancyk58 · October 24, 2009

EVEN THOUGH THE PHILIPPINES ARE SPARED A THIRD DISASTER, THE VICTIMS STILL NEED HELP !

As was said in the Danish News Friday evening: Large parts are still overflooded - many Philippines are still living in evacuation centers etc.

nancyk58 · October 24, 2009

PHILIPPINES – source: GMA News.DK

AFTER SCARE, 'RAMIL' SPARES LUZON, HEADS FOR JAPAN (Updated on 10/24/2009, 11:19AM)

After keeping much of Luzon on edge for over a week, Tropical Storm Ramil (Lupit) continued its erratic path away from the mainland and towards Japan Saturday morning, sparing the Philippines a third disaster in less than a month.

In its 5 p.m. advisory, Pagasa said Ramil was 425 km northeast of Basco, Batanes as of 4 p.m., maintaining its maximum sustained winds of 95 kph near center and gustiness of up to 120 kph.

Only the province of Batanes was under Storm Signal No. 1 as storm signals elsewhere were lowered.

Pagasa said Ramil is forecast to move northeast at 15 kph and be 700 km northeast of Basco, Batanes or 100 km of Okinawa, Japan on Sunday afternoon.

“It might not hit Luzon," Pagasa weather bureau chief Nathaniel Cruz told GMANews.TV on Saturday morning. Cruz said that even though Ramil has not directly crossed northern Luzon as earlier forecast, it has battered parts of the Cagayan province with strong winds and rains in the past few days. Its effect had also been felt largely in the Calayan, Babuyan and Batanes island groups in extreme northern Philippines. "It already made landfall in a way, because of the swath of rain," he said.

Pagasa also said that Pantabangan Dam in Nueva Ecija has stopped releasing water as Ramil move further away from the country. The Ambuklao and Binga Dams in Benguet, however, continue to release water as of posting time.

By Monday morning Ramil is expected to be 950 km northeast of Basco, Batanes or at 230 km east of Okinawa, Southern Japan.

Pagasa reminded residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes under storm signals to take precautions against possible flashfloods and landslides.

It also reminded those living along the coast in areas under signals #2 and #3 to be on alert against storm surge and big waves.

GOOD NEWS

In a separate interview with QTV's Balitanghali Saturday, Cruz said their monitoring showed no weather disturbance was trailing behind tropical storm Ramil in the Pacific Ocean.

Cruz said this would mean the country would be free from any low pressure area at least in the next two to three days, during which time the country is expected to have fair weather.

"This is a good news for us that we see no weather disturbances aside from Ramil," Cruz said.

But the Pagasa official still advised the public not to let their guards down saying weather activities happening at sea could become unpredictable.

Cruz also said that even if Ramil is on its way out of Philippine territory, fishermen are still discouraged from setting sail since water in affected areas could still become turbulent. - with Joseph Holandes Ubalde and Andreo Calonzo, GMANews.TV

No weather disturbance to affect RP as Ramil exits

(by Mark D. Merueñas, GMANews.TV - 10/24/2009 | 01:16 PM)

After weeks of being visited by tropical cyclones, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the country could experience FAIR WEATHER in the next few days.

Nathaniel Cruz, weather sciences bureau chief, told QTV's Balitanghali Saturday that their monitoring showed no weather disturbance was trailing behind tropical storm Ramil in the Pacific Ocean.

Tropical Storm Ramil (Lupit) continues to move slowly away to Japan and is unlikely to make its expected Sunday landfall in northern Luzon.

Cruz said this would mean the country would be free from any low pressure area at least in the next two to three days. "This is a good news for us that we see no weather disturbances aside from Ramil," Cruz said. But the Pagasa official still advised the public not to let their guards down saying weather activities happening at sea could become unpredictable.

Cruz said for the remaining two months of the year, the public could still expect two to three more tropical cyclones to arrive in the country. Annually, the Philippines is visited by between 20 to 21 cyclones.

He also said that while Ramil is on its way out of Philippine territory, fisherfolks are still discouraged from setting sail since water in affected areas could still become turbulent.

Ramil was last spotted 340 km northeast of Basco, Batanes as of 10 a.m., with maximum sustained winds of 95 kph near center and and gustiness of up to 120 kph.

Batanes was placed under Storm Signal No. 2, while Calayan and Babuyan Islands were placed under Storm Signal No. 1 as storm signals elsewhere were lowered.

Forecasters said Ramil is currently JAPAN-bound and is expected to be 230 kms east of Okinawa by Monday. GMANews.TV

Pinoy kids sell their toys, raise P22K for typhoon victims

Despite their young age, Filipino children in China managed to raise P22,807 for victims of cyclones Ondoy (Ketsana) and Pepeng (Parma) by selling used toys and belongings.

Blamed for disaster, floodway settlers are immovable force

(by Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV) - 10/24/2009 | 06:18 PM

A month after ‘Ondoy’, communities obstructing the nine-kilometer-long Manggahan Floodway – one of the nation’s largest flood control structures -are still there, setting the stage for a repeat of the flooding that occurred when water quickly breached its banks. Jam Sisante reports.

I N D O N E S I A

BBC World Text TV on 24 October 2009:

STRONG QUAKE HITS OFF INDONESIA

A magnitude 7 earth quake has hit off the Coast of INDONESIA according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). The quake was reported to have occurred in the BANDA SEA near the Maluku Islands to the east of East Timor.

ZDF: Indonesian authorities issued tsunami alert after a magnitude 7.3 earthquake. No reports of any tsunamis or devastation on land.

You can read more about it LATER on the threads "Updates of the situation in Southeast Asia" and "Help Red Cross and Unicef Help Victims of Natural Disasters"

nancyk58 · October 25, 2009

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER 2009

GMA News.TV

Plans drawn up for RP's post-disaster assessment

10/23/2009 | 01:33 PM

Post-disaster needs assessment (PDNA) is being scheduled by the government and its development partners to determine the extent of the damage caused by storms Ondoy and Pepeng and to draw up reconstruction and recovery plans.

The Finance department and the World Bank, in a joint statement issued on Thursday, said the assessment would cover a gamut of sectors, infrastructure, impact assessment, and overall disaster preparedness.

"The huge tasks at hand — both in terms of short-term recovery and long-term reconstruction — demand no less than a concerted response from all sectors of society and the global community," Finance Secretary Margarito B. Teves said.

World Bank Country Director Bert Hofman said: "The PDNA will serve as a framework by which the country could mobilize greater support from the broader global community for recovery and reconstruction..."

The government, widely criticized for its rescue and relief response, is currently scrambling to secure rehabilitation funding, proposing the issuance of P50 billion in reconstruction bonds and the realignment of existing multilateral loans.

Other participating development partners are the United Nations, Asian Development Bank, and the European Commission.

Agreement on the PDNA was said to have been reached the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund-World Bank annual meeting in Istanbul earlier this month.

A team of local and international experts are already meeting with state agencies and local governments to plan for the assessment. The results of the PDNA are expected to be completed within November.

The initiative seeks to assess the damage, losses, and needs of calamity-struck areas, and to mobilize resources. It is also expected to result in recommendations for short, medium, and long-term recovery and reconstruction.

Mr. Teves said the multi-sectoral reconstruction commission formed recently by Malacañang would be meeting with the development partners and the private sector.

Ondoy devastated parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces last September 26, while Pepeng hit the country on October 3. Both storms caused some P27.7 billion worth of damage and killed over 850 people.

The government and its development partners are also planning to devote this year’s Philippine Development Forum to raise donations for devastated areas. The annual event is scheduled for next month.

- Alexis Douglas B. Romero, BusinessWorld

nancyk58 · October 25, 2009

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER 2009

PAGASA: ‘RAMIL’ TO EXIT RP SUNDAY, BUT RAINS STILL LOOM

(10/25/2009 | 07:55 AM ) From GMA News.TV

Tropical storm “RAMIL" (LUPIT) continued to move farther away from Philippine territory, heading toward JAPAN on Sunday morning. But rains still loom over Extreme Northern LUZON and other parts of the country.

In its 5 a.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said there is no indication of Ramil making a U-turn.

"We expect it to exit Philippine territory later on Sunday. It is heading for the southern islands of Japan," Pagasa forecaster Lenny Ruiz said in an interview on dzBB radio.

He also said there is no low-pressure area or weather disturbance now within the Philippine area of responsibility.

As of 4 a.m., Ramil was 560 km northeast of Basco, Batanes, with maximum sustained winds of 95 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 120 kph, Pagasa said.

It is forecast to move northeast at 15 kph and is expected to be 860 km northeast of Basco, Batanes or at 200 km east-southeast of Okinawa, Southern Japan Monday morning.

Pagasa’s 5 a.m. weather bulletin said “Extreme Northern Luzon will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms. The rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms."

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the Northwest to Southwest will prevail over Northern Luzon and coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough, it added.

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the Northwest to Southwest with slight to moderate seas except during thunderstorms.

On the other hand, Pagasa warned strong to gale force winds associated with Ramil will still likely affect the seaboards of Northern Luzon. - GMANews.TV

"]‘RAMIL’ SLOWS DOWN IN EXIT FROM RP; U-TURN STILL FEARED[/b]

(10/25/2009 | 05:50 PM)

Tropical storm "RAMIL" (international name LUPIT) slightly slowed down Sunday afternoon as it continued to exit Philippine territory. State weather forecasters however remain wary of a sudden U-turn.

In its 5 p.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration indicated it is not discounting a "recurvature" by "Ramil."

"Unless recurvature occurs, this is the final bulletin on this weather disturbance," it said.

A 4:40 p.m. forecast by the Japan Meteorological Agency indicated "Ramil" was heading northeast and is not likely to make a U-turn.

Philippine authorities are wary of a U-turn made by a cyclone similar to the case of "PEPENG" (PARMA) earlier this month. "PEPENG" eventually made landfall thrice in NORTHERN LUZON, causing floods and landslides, and killing more than 400 people.

As of 4 p.m., Pagasa said "Ramil" was 780 km northeast of Basco, Batanes or at 175 km southeast of Okinawa, Southern Japan. It packed maximum sustained winds of 95 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 120 kph, and was moving east-northeast at 15 kph.

Pagasa forecast "Ramil" to be 370 km east-northeast of Okinawa, Southern Japan by Monday afternoon.

GMANews.TV

JAPAN, THAILAND DONATE TO RP CYCLONE VICTIMS

(10/26/2009 | 12:11 AM )

The Philippines received a major boost from two key partners of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in disaster management efforts during the Asean summit in Thailand.

Malacañang on Sunday announced that Japan would donate three Doppler radars to the Philippines to complete the 12-radar system the Philippines needs in weather forecasting capabilities.

“Included of course are the technical support and Official Development Assistance (ODA)," a Palace statement quoted Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, who accompanied President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to the Asean summit, as saying.

The Palace said Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama also relayed to Mrs. Arroyo his condolences to the victims of cyclones “ONDOY" (KETSANA) and “PEPENG" (PARMA), which killed more than 700 people and left billions worth of damages in agriculture and infrastructure.

He also wished the country’s immediate recovery during a bilateral meeting with Mrs. Arroyo on the sidelines of the 15th Asean Summit.

For her part, Mrs. Arroyo congratulated Hatoyama on his election as Prime Minister and on his party’s historic victory. She said she is looking forward to a strategic partnership of the Philippines and Japan under his leadership and invited him to visit the Philippines.

While in Thailand, Mrs. Arroyo also received Thailand’s commitment to donate 620 metric tons of rice for the victims of the tropical cyclones. The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs made assurance that 100 metric tons of rice, as well as medicines, will be sent to the Philippines by the end of the month.

Another 520 metric tons of rice, this time upon the initiative of the Thai trade representative and coursed through the Asean Plus 3-East Asia Emergency Rice Reserve, will follow in February 2010.

On the other hand, Malacañang said a Philippine public-private sector body heading the reconstruction of infrastructure wrecked by the two cyclones may benefit from a $15-billion commercial credit from the People’s Republic of China.

The commercial credit will be available to the 10 Asean member-nations in the next three to five years, although the Palace said the decision rests on the newly created commission.

Trade Secretary Peter Favila pointed out that the commission, not the government, is making a study on the actual damage and the cost needed to fund the rehabilitation program.

At the Asean summit, Mrs. Arroyo proposed that the release of fund from the $120-billion Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization (CMIM) to a distressed Asean member must be quick and with less conditions.

GMA News.TV

nancyk58 · October 26, 2009

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Brewing storm likely to hit RP in 3 days – Pagasa

(by Sophia M. Dedace, GMA News.TV

10/26/2009 | 06:02 PM )

After Typhoon Ramil spared the Philippines over the weekend, another weather disturbance is threatening to hit the country within the next three days, the state weather bureau said Monday afternoon.

Prisco Nilo, head of the Philippine, Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the cyclone (named Tropical Depression 23) could enter Philippine territory on Thursday October 29 or Friday October 30.

It would be named SANTI once it enters the Philippine area of responsibility. Next to Pepeng, Quedan, and Ramil, the new weather disturbance is the FOURTH CYCLONE to visit the PHILIPPINES for the month of October.

He added that the following areas should brace for the weather disturbance’s effects: Visayas, southern Luzon, Bicol Region, Central Luzon, and Metro Manila.

Nilo said the tropical depression was spotted at the Marianas Islands. It was located at 2,800 kilometers east of Visayas packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour. It is forecast to move west northwest at 19 kph.

He, however, said that TD 23 had already intensified into a storm even if under Pagasa’s classification, a tropical depression becomes a storm if its strength had already exceeded 65 kph. - GMANews.TV

CATEGORY MAXIMUM WINDS

Tropical depression 35- 64 km per hour near the center

Tropical storm 65-118 km per hour near the center

Typhoon 119-200 km per hour near the center

Super typhoon Maximum winds greater than 200 km per hour

nancyk58 · October 26, 2009

My use of colours when posting:

Red is used to express danger / take care / warning / alert / description of devastation, death toll, wounded

Green is used to express hope / danger is over / help and donations given

Yellow is normally used as something between red (danger) and green (hope). A situation might develop into danger / devastation / death, but might also clear up]

I have checked several countries' Text TV, as well as the websites of Red Cross, Unicef and GMA News.TV without finding any relevant news.

nancyk58 · October 27, 2009

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN THE PHILIPPINES

Pagasa: New cyclone may make landfall Saturday

10/27/2009 | 08:17 AM

If it stays on its course, a new cyclone heading for the Philippines may make landfall on Saturday night, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Tuesday.

Pagasa head Prisco Nilo said the cyclone, to be code-named "SANTI" once it enters Philippine territory, will make itself felt as early Friday night.

"It may make landfall Saturday evening. But it is still at sea and far from land. The chances are, it will gain strength before making landfall," Nilo said in an interview on dzXL radio.

Citing data they have gathered so far, Nilo said the cyclone is due to enter Philippine territory Thursday evening, and bring rains and winds Friday evening.

But he admitted there is little chance the cyclone will go the way of "RAMIL" (LUPIT) that skipped the country.

In a separate interview, Pagasa forecaster Elvie Enriquez said the cyclone will likely affect Eastern Visayas.

"Given its present heading, it will likely affect first Eastern Visayas, including Samar and Leyte," she said in an interview on dzBB radio.

Enriquez also said that after "SANTI," at least four more cyclones are expected to enter Philippine territory.

"Based on weather patterns in the past years, we expect two cyclones to enter Philippine territory in November, one more in October, and one in December," she said.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in its 6 a.m. report, said the cyclone had been upgraded into a tropical storm and is moving toward Guam.

It said the cyclone was moving west-northwest at 17 mph (27.35 kph) with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (64.37 kph). - GMANews.TV

nancyk58 · October 27, 2009

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN THE PHILIPPINES

STORM HEADING FOR RP INTENSIFIES

10/27/2009 | 11:03 PM

The tropical storm heading for the Philippines intensified further Tuesday night and now has an INTERNATIONAL CODE NAME, MIRINAE.

In its 5 p.m. (Manila time) report, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said MIRINAE was about 160 miles (257.495 km) northwest of GUAM.

MIRINAE - which will be code-named SANTI upon entering PHILIPPINE territory - was moving west-northwest at 20 mph (32.187 kph). The storm packs maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (72.42 kph), the NOAA said.

"It is expected to intensify over the next 24 hours. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 60 miles (96.56 km) from the center," it added.

On the other hand, the Japan Meteorological Agency's 8:40 p.m. forecast indicated the cyclone may affect parts of Northern, Central and Southern LUZON, and Central and Eastern VISAYAS by FRIDAY.

GMANews.TV

Tonsu · October 28, 2009

Nancy, thanks so much for the updates. I can't get online very much right now, and your information is absolutely invaluable to me in keeping up with the latest news, though it is terrible indeed :(

There is so little news on all this here in the UK it is sickening, most people don't even know about it. How much more aid there would be sent if people knew that so many people there are still living in flooded conditions, facing terrible risk of disease daily. Old people, little children...my heart breaks...

nancyk58 · October 28, 2009

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN THE PHILIPPINES from GMA News.TV

Storm ‘Santi’ may enter RP Thursday; govt readies relief goods

10/28/2009 | 09:47 AM

The tropical storm heading for Philippine territory east of Northern Luzon accelerated slightly Wednesday and may enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) as early as Thursday morning.

But the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said “MIRINAE" (to be codenamed “SANTI" once it enters PAR)may also make an early exit, likely on Sunday.

"It may enter the Philippine area of responsibility as early as Wednesday night or early Thursday," Pagasa head Prisco Nilo said in an interview on dzXL radio early Wednesday.

Nilo said the storm continues to intensify and its winds may reach up to 200 kph.

Citing data they have gathered so far, he said the storm may hit Central LUZON and even affect METRO MANILA.

Nilo added that two to three more cyclones might hit the country after Santi.

Relief preparations

Following President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s order to pre-position relief goods to prepare for the coming storm, DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral said her agency is pinpointing the areas in Southern Luzon and the Visayas that the cyclone will likely hit this weekend.

“We are ready to pre-position stockpiles of goods so they can be used immediately," Cabral said in an interview on dzRH radio.

Mrs. Arroyo ordered relief caravans moved to their intended destinations beginning Wednesday, before the new storm hits this weekend.

A Malacañang statement said President Arroyo gave the order at a Cabinet and National Disaster Coordinating Council meeting in Pampanga.

It said the President particularly ordered pre-positioning of assets to Northern and Central LUZON.

In a separate interview on dzBB on Wednesday, Pagasa’s forecaster Ben Oris said they do not expect the storm to affect the country immediately.

“We may feel its effects perhaps on Saturday," Oris said.

He said that if MIRINAE stays on its course, it may hit east of Northern Luzon. But he also said the storm is likely to make an early exit on Sunday.

Storm location

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s 6 a.m. report said Mirinae’s center was about 410 miles (659.83 km) west northwest of Guam.

It said Mirinae was moving west northwest at 22 mph (35.405 kph), with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120.701 kph).

On the other hand, the Japan Meteorological Agency’s 5:45 a.m. report indicated MIRINAE is heading for Northeast LUZON and may affect the WHOLE of LUZON and most of the VISAYAS by FRIDAY.

Pagasa’s 5 a.m. bulletin indicated that as of 2 a.m., Mirinae was estimated at 1,640 km east of Northern Luzon.

The storm packed maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 100 kph and is forecast to move west-northwest at 28 kph

.

GMANews.TV

'SANTI’ INTENSIFIES INTO TYPHOON, TO INTENSIFY FURTHER

10/28/2009 | 08:07 PM

A tropical cyclone heading for the Philippines intensified further into a typhoon late Wednesday and remained on course towards northern LUZON, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

In its 5 p.m. report, NOAA said "MIRINAE" slightly accelerated at 27 kph.

"It is expected to intensify during the next 24 hours. Typhoon force winds extend outward up to 40 km from the center and tropical storm force winds extend upward up to 185 km from the center," it said.

NOAA said "Mirinea" was about 997 km west-northwest of Guam as of 5 p.m. and packed maximum sustained winds of 160 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said typhoon "Mirinae" was 1,390 km east of Central Luzon as of 4 p.m.

The cyclone will be code-named “SANTI" once it enters Philippine territory, which Pagasa said could be on late Wednesday or early Thursday.

The Japan Meteorological Agency's 5:45 p.m. report said "Mirinae" may make landfall in the eastern part of northern Luzon and may affect parts of the Visayas as well this weekend while the nation observes All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day.

Because of this, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., who also heads the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), warned the public of the risks of going to the cemeteries.

“We see difficulties if our countrymen are not aware of the coming typhoon and they are planning to visit their relatives at the cemeteries. They may be trapped there and this may cause traffic congestion in the streets and may delay the response and relief efforts that may be needed to be done," Teodoro said in a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo Wednesday.

He urged the public to visit their dead relatives before Saturday. “Let us avoid visiting our relatives at the cemeteries and if they really need to make a visit, we can do it earlier, before Saturday."

Teodoro said a food caravan is scheduled to leave for southern Luzon on Thursday as part of the government’s pre-positioning of relief goods in preparation for Santi.

GMANews.TV

nancyk58 · October 29, 2009

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA ON 29 OCTOBER 2009

SANTI MAY MAKE LANDFALL FRIDAY NIGHT, MAY PASS MMANILA

10/29/2009 | 11:43 AM - The article will follow later

140 TRUCKS WITH RELIEF GOODS HEAD FOR STORM-PRONE AREAS IN LUZON

10/29/2009 | 10:57 AM

Some 140 trucks left for several storm-prone areas in Northern, Central and Southern Luzon, and the Bicol Region Thursday to pre-position relief goods in areas that Typhoon "Santi" (Mirinea) may affect.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Esperanza Cabral said the trucks are loaded with relief items from various government agencies.

“We sent out 140 trucks of relief goods to areas hit by recent storms and those that may be hit by the coming storm," Cabral said in an interview on dzXL radio.

She referred to areas hit by tropical cyclones “ONDOY" (KETSANA) and “PEPENG" (PARMA), as well as areas that may be affected by Typhoon SANTI.

Cabral said the trucks will head for Central and Southern LUZON, as well as the Bicol Region, to pre-position relief items in time for the coming of SANTI, which entered Philippine territory Wednesday night.The other trucks will head for Ilocos, Cagayan Valley and Cordillera for the ongoing relief work there.

Earlier, a report by dzBB radio’s Manny Vargas said that at least 70 trucks left Pasay City for Southern LUZON and BICOL early Thursday to pre-position relief goods.

The destinations included Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes in Bicol; and Quezon, Batangas, Laguna and Cavite in Southern Luzon.

NO 'ROTTING' RELIEF GOODS

Relief items carried by the trucks included rice, canned goods, noodles, water, bedding, clothes, and shoes.

On Tuesday, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered the DSWD to pre-position relief goods to areas that may be hit by SANTI.Mrs. Arroyo gave the order during a Cabinet and National Disaster Coordinating Council meeting in Pampanga.

Cabral said the government has enough relief goods, including donations stemming from the United Nations World Food Programme’s flash appeal for help for victims of ONDOY and PEPENG.

Meanwhile, Cabral laughed off a militant group’s claim that it found “rotting" relief goods at a DSWD warehouse in Quezon City.

She said the DSWD has an office, but not a warehouse in the Batasan Complex in Quezon City.

“The facility in Quezon City is our office, not a warehouse. So that claim is baseless," she said. - GMANews.TV

SANTI MAY MAKE LANDFALL FRIDAY NIGHT, MAY PASS MANILA

10/29/2009 | 11:43 AM

Typhoon "SANTI" (MIRINAE) may pass through or go very near METRO MANILA if it crosses Luzon this weekend, SO the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

(I will post the entire article will follow later Thursday)

Pagasa gets Korean aid for early warning system vs disasters

10/29/2009 | 10:14 AM

A month after tropical cyclones Ondoy and Pepeng wreaked devastation and caused massive flooding in Luzon, the state weather bureau on Thursday announced that the South Korean government is funding... (I will post the entire article later today Thursday)

Typhoon signal up as 'Santi' intensifies; dams urged to release water - 10/29/2009 | 08:08 AM

At least four areas were placed under Storm Signal No. 1 as Typhoon "Santi" (Mirinea) intensified further and continued moving toward Luzon Thursday. (I will post the entire article later today)

Wet All Saints’ Day looms as ‘Santi’ enters RP

10/29/2009 | 12:20 AM

Typhoon "SANTI" (international code name MIRINAE) entered Philippine territory at 10 p.m. Wednesday, but state weather forecasters said it is still too far to directly affect any part of the country.

sp★rkle · October 29, 2009

Sorry for not updating. And thanks to Nancy for keeping this thread on the go.

I think you all might've read that there is another typhoon passing to our country some time tomorrow night. The second wave of swine flu and the leptospirosis outbreak threatens many Filipinos especially those in the evacuation centers.

We humbly knock on the hearts of the givers of this forum, please help the Philippines.

nancyk58 · October 29, 2009

Updates of the situation in the Philippines

SANTI MAY MAKE LANDFALL FRIDAY NIGHT, MAY PASS METRO MANILA

10/29/2009 | 11:43 AM

Typhoon "SANTI" (MIRINAE) may pass through or go very near METRO MANILA if it crosses LUZON this weekend, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Thursday.

Pagasa head Prisco Nilo said a high-pressure area near Philippine territory may force SANTI to slightly change course from west to west southwest.

"At this point there is about 30 percent probability or very close over Metro Manila. It is possible the cyclone may get near Metro Manila so its residents should prepare," Nilo said.

Last September 26, Metro Manila and some areas in Central Luzon and the Calabarzon regions were battered by Tropical Storm Ondoy's record rainfall, which surpassed the previous record for the metropolis in 1967.

LANDFALL

Nilo said SANTI is likely to make landfall in Casiguran in Aurora Friday night or early Saturday, if it maintains its present speed. The cyclone is also likely to pass through Central LUZON and the southern part of North Luzon, he added.

But he said that unless SANTI slows down, it may cross the entire LUZON in just 12 hours, and be out of Philippine territory by Tuesday at the latest.

"The cyclone moves relatively fast. We expect it to cross Luzon in just 12 hours. It will be better this way, than being exposed for a long time to its winds and rains," he said.

He also projected SANTI to be “behaved" compared to tropical cyclone RAMIL (LUPIT), which followed an erratic path before sparing the country.

SANTI's LOCATION

In its 11 a.m. advisory, Pagasa said SANTI maintained its strength as it continued to move towards Central LUZON.

Located 890 km east of Casiguran, Aurora as of 10 a.m., Santi was packing maximum sustained winds of 150 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph.

SANTI was moving west at 24 kph and is expected to be 440 km east of Casiguran, Aurora, and in the vicinity of Casiguran, Aurora or 210 km northeast of Manila Saturday morning. By Sunday morning it is expected to be 170 km west of Dagupan City or 280 km northwest of Manila.

As SANTI draws closer to making landfall, Pagasa placed Polilio Island under storm signal No. 2 while areas under signal No. 1 were: Isabela, Ifugao, Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Rizal, Quezon, Camarines Norte, and Camarines Sur.

Pagasa reminded residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes under storm signals to take precautions against flashfloods and landslides.

Earlier, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said about 140 trucks loaded with relief goods have been sent off to storm-prone areas in Northern, Central, Southern LUZON and the BICOL Region in anticipation of SANTI.

The relief goods will also be distributed to past cyclone victims in the mentioned areas. - GMANews.TV

PAGASA GETS KOREAN AID FOR EARLY WARNING SYSTEM VS DISASTERS

10/29/2009 | 10:14 AM

A month after tropical cyclones ONDOY and PEPENG wreaked devastation and caused massive flooding in LUZON, the state weather bureau on Thursday announced that the South Korean government is funding the second phase of its early warning system to mitigate the effects of impending disasters.

At a press conference in Quezon City, Department of Science and Technology Secretary Estrella Alabastro announced the approval of the $3-million project funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (Koica), the South Korean government’s arm “that provides grant aid programs for developing countries by implementing the government's grant aid and technical cooperation program."

The venture will concentrate on the Pasig-Marikina river basin. Pasig City and Marikina City were among the worst-hit areas when Tropical Storm ONDOY struck the country last September 26. The storm caused floods that lasted for days, costing many lives and much damage to property. [ See: How much did Ondoy cost? - ALREADY POSTED HERE - VERY INTERESTING ARTICLE - SO READ IT! ]

Present at the press conference were Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) chief Prisco Nilo, DOST Undersecretary Graciano Yumul, Koica’s Kim-In, and Choi Joong-Kyung, South Korea's ambassador to the Philippines.

"I am pleased to announce that the Korean government has now decided to provide long-term assistance to the Philippine government through an establishment of early warning response system for disaster mitigation in Metro Manila," said Choi.

The Korean official said the project involves flood forecasting, early warning and emergency communication systems.

A Pagasa statement said the project would establish the following:

- Seven automatic weather stations

- Five water-level gauging stations with video monitors for rainfall

- A flood forecasting system including control or monitor stations

- Twenty warning posts to be installed along the Marikina River

- Radio, voice, fax, data communication systems

- Maintenance vehicles and patrol cars

Susan Espinueva, officer-in-charge of Pagasa’s hydrometerological division, said that the first installments of the weather stations would be on the Sierra Madre mountains in Montalban, Rizal.

She added that a team from Koica would inspect key areas in the second week of November. The "reconnaissance and collection of data" would also determine where the other weather stations would be set up.

Nilo said that through the new project, the agency could give the public sufficient time to prepare before storms and floods batter and inundate their homes. “We should be able to warn about eight to 12 hours in advance," Nilo said.

Meanwhile, Alabastro said that the project does not include the acquisition of Doppler radars, instruments used to show the amount of rainfall a storm can bring. She said that the radars would be operational in Subic, Zambales and in Tagaytay City, Batangas by December. The Philippine government would shoulder the costs for the acquisition of the equipment.

The Pasig-Marikina River Basin

The project is the second to be funded by Koica.

Last July 2009, Koica completed the first phase of the early warning system (EWS) project with Pagasa. The grant program covered the following areas: Aurora and allied river basins in Luzon, the Jalaur river basin in Iloilo province in Visayas, and the Agus-Lake Lanao watershed in the Lanao provinces in Mindanao.

Espinueva explained that last October 7, Ambassador Choi initiated talks with the DOST to focus their efforts in mounting a community-based flood warning system in the Pasig and Marikina areas.

The Philippine government agency then laid out plans for the project, which was approved by the Koica headquarters in Seoul, South Korea after 12 days.

The announcement of the new project was made Thursday.

The Pasig and Marikina rivers constitute the main river basin in eastern Metro Manila.

Pagasa said the basin stretches from Rodriguez, Rizal to Pasig, passing through San Mateo, Rizal and Quezon City. “It flows in the center of Marikina Valley between the mountain range of Sierra Madre in the east and Quezon City in the west," it said.

Data from the Japan International Cooperation agency indicates that the “Pasig-Marikina River, which is the main natural drainage of the region and whose total catchment area is 635 square kilometers, runs through the center of Metro Manila and flows out to the Manila Bay."

While the new project does not intend to deal with structural problems in the basin, Albastro said they hope that the venture with Koica could mitigate, if not avert, devastating effects of the storms threatening to hit Metro Manila in the future. - with Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV

TYPHOON SIGNAL UP AS 'SANTI' INTENSIFIES; DAMS URGED TO RELEASE WATER

10/29/2009 | 08:08 AM

At least four areas were placed under Storm Signal No. 1 as Typhoon "Santi" (Mirinea) intensified further and continued moving toward Luzon Thursday. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) also suggested that at least four dams should consider releasing water early.

"Angat, San Roque, Pantabangan and Magat dams have critical water levels. It would be wise to consider releasing water early," Pagasa head Prisco Nilo said in an interview on dzXL radio.

He said SANTI, which entered Philippine territory Wednesday night, is expected to bring much rain, and have winds more powerful than Typhoon PEPENG (PARMA), which pummeled northern LUZON and caused severe FLOODING in PANGASINAN province and deadly landslides in the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Nilo said that if Santi maintains its course, it will likely affect Central Luzon and Metro Manila.

CALL FOR PREPAREDNESS

Defense Secretary and National Disaster Coordinating Council chairman Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said it is crucial that the areas concerned are prepared.

"We have already prepared for this as much as we can," Teodoro said in an interview on dzXL radio.

Pagasa forecaster Rene Pamil, on the other hand, said SANTI may exit early as it is moving relatively fast at 26 kph. "It is moving fast. It may be out of Philippine territory after two days," Pamil said in an interview on dzBB radio.

SANTI's LOCATION

Pagasa's 5 a.m. advisory said at least four areas are under Storm Signal No. 1: Isabela, Aurora, Northern Quezon, and Polillo Islands.

Residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes in these areas were advised to take all precautions against flash floods and landslides.

The Coast Guard automatically bars travel in these areas by vessels lighter than 1,000 tons.

As of 4 a.m., Pagasa said SANTI was 1,080 km east of Casiguran, Aurora, with maximum sustained winds of 150 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph.

It is moving west at 26 kph and is expected to be 580 km east of Casiguran,

Aurora Friday morning, and 100 km east of Casiguran, Aurora Saturday morning. By Sunday morning it is expected to be 180 km west of Dagupan City.

GMANews.TV

WET ALL SAINTS’ DAY LOOMS AS ‘SANTI’ ENTERS RP

10/29/2009 | 12:20 AM

Typhoon "SANTI" (international code name MIRINAE) entered Philippine territory at 10 p.m. Wednesday, but state weather forecasters said it is still too far (away) to directly affect any part of the country. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said SANTI would cause rains during the All Saints' weekend.

"Chances are, it will make landfall in Northern LUZON," Pagasa forecaster Rommel Yutuc said in an interview on dzBB radio.

Pagasa said that as of 10 p.m., Santi was 1,210 km east of Casiguran, Aurora, with winds of 140 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph.

It was moving west at 24 kph and is expected to be 710 km east of Casiguran Thursday night. By Friday evening it is expected to be 250 km east of Casiguran, Aurora.

By Saturday evening it is forecast to be 50 km east of Dagupan City or 30 km south of Baguio City, Pagasa said in a 10:45 p.m. advisory.However, Pagasa said SANTI is still too far (AWAY) to directly affect any part of the country, at least for the next 24 hours.

GMANews.TV

BRUNEI DONORS TEXT IN DONATIONS FOR RP CYCLONE VICTIMS

10/29/2009 | 04:31 PM

Donors in Brunei used their mobile phones to donate to victims of two recent destructive cyclones that lashed the Philippines in September and October.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) cited a report from the Philippine Embassy in Brunei that the Brunei government allows "text donations" of up to B$20 (P680).

"(Last October 22), the Brunei Government’s Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports launched the SMS Brunei Prihatin Initiative, which enables the public to use text messages to donate to the humanitarian fund for INDONESIAN EARTHQUAKE and PHILIPPINE TYPHOON VICTIMS. The public can donate denominations of B$1, $5, $10, $15, and $20 to the fund until 30 November 2009," the DFA said.

Subscribers of DSTCom and B-Mobile networks customers can text “Bantu20" to number 38111 for a donation of $20, “Bantu15" for a $15 donation, and so on. - A Brunei dollar is equivalent to P34.

The text-to-donate initiative also aimed to benefit victims of a recent earthquake in INDONESIA.

Other initiatives undertaken in Brunei include:

* On Oct. 19, the International Women’s Club (IWC) of Brunei arranged for the delivery of medical supplies and medicine and multivitamins worth B$3,000 (P99,750) to the Chancery. At the Embassy’s request, Royal Brunei Airlines waived excess baggage charges for up to 60 kg of the said boxes. The medicine / multivitamins will be sent to the Philippines on Friday.

* On Oct. 23, Mituo Vege Restaurant turned over B$3,015 to the Philippine Embassy. The said amount was part of the proceeds of “Eat and Pay as You Wish" buffet held last Oct. 18.

* On Oct. 22, Nusa Laila Puteri School sent directly to the Philippine National Red Cross its donation of P31,265.49. The proceeds were wired through HSBC Brunei.

* On Oct. 22, Couples for Christ – Brunei Chapter turned over its donation of B$500 (P16,500) for the typhoon victims.

* On Oct. 23, Alicia Khor and her 15 friends donated B$7,000 for the purchase of 70 coffins for the victims of Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng.

The Embassy remitted the amount to DSWD’s peso account last Oct. 24.

Other donations include assorted food items, used clothes, and drinking water.

Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Alexander B. Yano conveyed his appreciation to these donors.

“Your donation would go a long way in alleviating the plight of the victims," he said.

Meanwhile, Japan said that they would donate another batch of relief assistance to the Philippines, this time to victims at Sitio Sub-urban in San Jose village in Rodriguez (Montalban) town in Rizal province.

"The grant of US$92,780 (approximately P4.4 million) consists of emergency relief package of food and non-food items for 3,200 families (19,000 persons) in Barangay Bagong Silangan, Quezon City and three villages in the Municipality of Montalban, Rizal. This project, in partnership with the Christian Aid, is implemented through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP)," the Japanese Embassy said.

GMANews.TV

SANTI PACKS 150kph WINDS, MAY HIT C LUZON SATURDAY

10/29/2009 | 10:32 PM

(Updated 11:30 p.m.) Typhoon “SANTI" (international name: MIRIANE), the fourth cyclone to enter the Philippine area of responsibility in October, has maintained winds of 150kph and is expected to hit provinces in central LUZON on SATURDAY morning while bringing HEAVY RAINS and WINDS to METRO MANILA, the state weather bureau said Thursday night.

In its 11 p.m. weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said SANTI was last spotted 660 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora province and is moving westward towards central LUZON at 22 kph.

Santi maintained its strength, packing maximum sustained winds of 150 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph.

Based on the current Pagasa forecast, SANTI’s center is expected to hit Aurora province by Saturday morning, and in the vicinity of Nueva Ecija or at 90 km north of Metro Manila by Saturday afternoon.

Public storm signal no. 2 has been hoisted over Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Rizal, Northern Quezon and Polilio Island.

Under storm signal no. 1 are the provinces of Isabela, Ifugao, Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya, La Union, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Zambales, Pampanga, Bataan, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, Lubang Is., the rest of Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and Metro Manila.

“Although SANTI’s center would pass somewhere between central and northern LUZON, we will feel here in METRO MANILA the rains and winds brought by Santi," said Pagasa spokesperson Nathaniel Cruz.

Foreign weather agencies such as the US Navy Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) and the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) also forecast SANTI to pass through central Luzon on Saturday.

Earlier on Thursday, Pagasa forecasters said they were studying the possibility of recommending yet another round of water release in major dams in Luzon, which were in the direct path of the typhoon.

SANTI is the nineteenth weather disturbance to hit the country this year and the fourth cyclone (after PEPENG, Quedan, and RAMIL) to enter the PHILIPPINE area of responsibility this month.

GMANews.TV

nancyk58 · October 30, 2009

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN THE PHILIPPINES ON 30 OCTOBER 2009

TYPHOON SANTI SLIGHTLY VEERS SOUTH, METRO STILL THREATENED

10/31/2009 | 01:09 AM

Typhoon SANTI, which was earlier forecast to directly hit Metro Manila and four other provinces in southern Luzon, veered slightly southward on Friday night in the direction of Bicol and Southern Tagalog regions on Saturday even as Metro Manila remains threatened.

According to the 10:45 p.m. weather bulletin by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), Santi was last spotted 30 kms north of Daet, Camarines Norte, moving west southwest at 20 kph.

Asked if Metro Manila remained along Santi's path, Pagasa administrator Dr. Prisco Nilo said that although there was still that possibility, the more likely scenario is that the center of typhoon Santi would pass SOUTH OF MANILA.

Although the state weather bureau expects Santi’s center winds to spare Metro Manila, foreign weather agencies tracking Santi (international name: Mirinae), such as the Japan Meteorological Agency and the US Navy Joint Typhoon Warning Center, forecast the typhoon’s center to still directly pass over the National Capital Region on Saturday morning.

Santi maintained its strength, packing maximum sustained winds of 150 kph near the center, with gustiness of up to 185 kph.

Storm Signal No. 3 was hoisted over the National Capital Region and 14 other areas in Luzon, including Quezon, Polilio Island, Bulacan, Bataan, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Lubang Island, Marinduque, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes.

Under Signal No. 2 are the provinces of Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pampanga, Zambales, Albay, Romblon and the islands of Calamian and Burias.

Signal No. 1 is hoisted over Isabela, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, Sorsogon, Masbate, Ticao Island and Northern Palawan.

Santi is forecast to be 260 kms south of Metro Manila by Saturday evening.

The typhoon is also forecast to leave the country on Sunday, November 1, giving Filipinos hope that they can still troop safely to cemeteries to commemorate All Saints’ Day.

GMANews.TV

WITH SIGNAL NO. 3, TYPHOON SANTI WRECKS HOLIDAY PLANS

10/30/2009 | 06:04 PM

The typhoon this time will arrive with a bang. Packing winds powerful enough to merit a rare signal no. 3 in METRO MANILA, "SANTI" will blow through CENTRAL LUZON starting late FRIDAY EVENING. But Pagasa predicts less rain than wind, lessening the chances of a repeat of the flooding that traumatized millions barely a month ago.

Metro MANILA is bracing for another tropical cyclone, barely a month after Storm Ondoy's epic floods claimed over 400 lives.

According to Pagasa forecaster Romel Yutuc, "There will be more wind than rain (in Metro Manila) because there is no southwest monsoon, unlike 'Ondoy' that triggered heavy rains."

On the eve of one of the busiest holidays of the year for travelers, commercial boat transportation has been suspended by the Philippine Coast Guard since Friday morning in provinces from Aurora to Camarines Sur, including Manila's North harbor. Thousands have been stranded, ruining plans for family reunions and visits to the dead.

Storm Signal No. 3 was hoisted over the National Capital Region and 14 other areas in Luzon Friday afternoon after Typhoon Santi gained speed and rapidly approached Quezon province, where rampant logging and the occupation of hazardous areas have made the province vulnerable to devastating landslides.

The last time signal no. 3 was hoisted over Metro Manila was in June 2008 during Typhoon Frank, when MV Princess of the Stars capsized off Sibuyan Island, in Romblon province killing about 800. A total of 1,300 died because of the typhoon.

As part of government preparations, the Philippine Army said its units "are on full standby" for any emergencies that may occur due to Santi. Companies of the Multi-Role Force (MRF) or the Army Contingent for Emergency (ACE) Battalion are ready to be deployed to any locality when necessary.

"Two companies of MRF Battalion are ready to be dispatched on a very short notice. With them are life-saving device and other floating assets like two rubber boats and two motorized boats," said Army spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr., adding that the troops recently underwent special training on disaster rescue.

Local officials have suspended commercial boat travel, stranding scores of passengers hoping to be in their hometowns for Undas, or All Souls' Day.

Twenty other areas will be hit by Santi, which was located 230 kilometers east of Infanta, Quezon as of 4 p.m., Friday, packing maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph. It is moving 24 km west southwest at 24 kph.

Some areas in Rizal and Laguna provinces where Storm Signal No. 3 is now hoisted remain inundated.

These are Jala Jala, Pililia, Tanay, Morong, Cardona, Binangonan, Taytay and Cainta all in Rizal and Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, Los Baños, Bay, Cabuyao, Pakil, Paete, Biñan, Calamba, Victoria, San Pedro, Lumban, Pangil and Pila, all in Laguna.

STRONG WINDS START TO BE FELT

Santi is forecast to cross Metro Manila, as well as the provinces of Rizal, Laguna, and Cavite, and Batangas before exiting to the South China Sea.

Nathaniel Cruz, weather sciences bureau chief, said rains and 90-kph winds were already being experienced in Virac, Catanduanes.

He said by Sunday afternoon (November 1), Santi would have been 760 kms west southwest of Metro Manila, over the South China Sea.

He however said people in affected areas could still experience a wet All Saints' Day.

LUZON DAMS RELEASE WATER

The Ambuklao Dam in Benguet and the Pantabangan Dam in Nueva Ecija are so far the only dams that continue to discharge water.

The dam is releasing water through its four gates at a rate of 22 cubic meter per second. Pantabangan, meanwhile, is discharging water at 105 cms.

She said that rains present 209.5 might rise to 212 meters which is still within the nirmal high water level

She said the Magat Dam in Isabela and the Binga Dam in Benguet remain in "normal condition." - GMANews.TV

TYPHOON SANTI SPEEDS UP, EXPECTED TO HIT QUEZON FRIDAY

Joseph Holandes Ubalde, GMANews.TV10/30/2009 | 02:39 PM

SANTI," the nineteenth weather disturbance to hit the Philippines this year, has gained speed and is expected to make landfall over Quezon province on Friday evening, the state weather bureau said in its 1:30 p.m. bulletin.

It was spotted 240 kilometers east of Infanta town in Quezon, moving west at 28 km per hour, packing maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph.

By Saturday morning, Santi is expected to be 280 km west southwest of Metro Manila. By Sunday, the typhoon will be 600 km west northwest of Puerto Princesa City in Palawan province.

As part of government preparations, the Philippine Army said its units "are on full standby" for any emergencies that may occur due to Santi. Companies of the Multi-Role Force (MRF) or the Army Contingent for Emergency (ACE) Battalion are ready to be deployed to any locality when necessary.

"Two companies of MRF Battalion are ready to be dispatched on a very short notice. With them are life-saving device and other floating assets like two rubber boats and two motorized boats," said Army spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr., adding that the troops recently underwent special training on disaster rescue.

A company is composed of roughly 100 men while a battalion, of 500 personnel.

As Santi nears, local officials have suspended commercial boat travel, stranding scores of passengers hoping to be in their hometowns for Undas, or All Souls' Day. But bus travel should still be safe until Friday afternoon, according to Cruz.

The FOURTH CYCLONE to enter the Philippine area of responsibility since the last week of September, Santi is packing maximum winds of 150 kilometers per hour. It is expected to bring rains to Metro Manila and surrounding provinces, still reeling from the havoc brought by past typhoons.

Santi,'s predecessor, "Ramil," shifted directions several times and kept much of Luzon on edge for over a week before veering away towards Taiwan and eventually Japan.

On weather maps, Santi's eye is charging like a bowling ball towards a sure strike on Aurora province. It is expected to barrel across Nueva Ecija and Pampanga, provinces hit hard by flooding caused by "Ondoy"'s epic rainfall a month ago.

Local governments have set up alarm systems, packed relief goods, and started preparing for mass evacuations in case Santi causes further injury to typhoon victims

DAMS RELEASE WATER

As foreseen by weather forecasters, another dam in Luzon has started releasing water ahead of Typhoon Santi's expected landfall.

The Pantabangan Dam in Nueva Ecija opened one of its gates by 1.1 meter to let water out at a rate of 60 cubic meters per second (cms). The gates were opened at 4 a.m.

The other dam currently discharging water is the Ambuklao Dam in Benguet province, which had not yet stopped releasing water in the last few days.

The Ambuklao Dam is still releasing water through its four gates at a rate of 22 cms.

Water levels in both dams have not yet reached their respective spilling levels, but dam administrators decided to open their gates to give room to the rains expected to be brought by Santi. - GMANews.TV

Japan, Australia beef up Pagasa's weather forecasting

'SANTI' TO BRING HEAVY RAINS, STRONG WINDS OVER LUZON STARTING LATE FRIDAY

Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV 10/30/2009 | 12:42 PM

Even though Typhoon Santi is not expected to make landfall until Saturday, the state weather bureau advised those in Luzon to take necessary precautions as the fourth weather disturbance to hit the country in a month's time is expected to bring heavy rains and strong winds to the region, including Metro Manila on late Friday.

"Before the end of the day, we'll already see darkened skies and feel strong winds," said Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) spokesperson Nathaniel Cruz in an interview over radio dzBB.

In its 11 a.m. advisory, Pagasa said Santi's center, which packs maximum sustained winds of 150 kph, was spotted 350 km east northeast of Infanta in Quezon province at 10 a.m.

Currently moving west at 22 kph, the cyclone is expected to be 70 km west northwest of Metro Manila or in the vicinity of Zambales on Saturday morning and 600 km west of Metro Manila by Sunday morning.

Even then, parts of Luzon will still experience rains, Cruz said. By Saturday night Santi's center will have passed by, but there will still be rains in Luzon."

The Japan Meteorological Agency’s 8:40 a.m. report indicated that Santi may continue heading northwest after making landfall over Luzon.

Santi is the 19th weather disturbance to hit the country this year and the fourth cyclone (after Pepeng, Quedan, and Ramil) to enter the Philippine area of responsibility since the last week of September.

As of 11 a.m., Northern Quezon and Polillo Islands were under storm signal No. 3 while those under signal no. 2 were: Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Tarlac, Zambales, Pampanga, Bataan, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Lubang Is., rest of Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and Metro Manila.

Areas under signal 1 were Isabela, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, Albay, Burias Is., Sorsogon, Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, and Calamian Group.

With storm signals up, Cruz reiterated his appeal to billboard operators in Metro Manila and Central Luzon to put down their billboards.

As early as Thursday, Pagasa chief Prisco Nilo warned the billboards may cause damage if they collapse due to winds from Santi.

"Billboard operators should take down their billboards, they can start tonight [Thursday] or early tomorrow [Friday])," Nilo said then.

DAMS

Meanwhile, Cruz said that as of 10 a.m. Friday, Ambuklao and Pantabangan dams kept gates open to discharge excess water. While Ambuklao kept four gates open to discharge 22 cubic meters per second, Pantabangan kept one gate open to discharge 50 cubic meters per second.

As part of government preparations, the Philippine Army said its units are "on full standby" for any emergencies that may occur due to Santi. Companies of the Multi-Role Force (MRF) or the Army Contingent for Emergency (ACE) Battalion are ready to be deployed to any locality when necessary, said Army spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr.

"Two companies of MRF Battalion are ready to be dispatched on a very short notice. With them are life-saving device and other floating assets like two rubber boats and two motorized boats," Burgos said, adding that the troops recently underwent special training on disaster rescue.

A company is composed of roughly 100 men while a battalion, of 500 personnel. - GMANews.TV

Pantabangan Dam releases water as 'Santi' nears

nancyk58 · October 31, 2009

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIA ON 31 OCTOBER 2009

UPDATES FROM THE PHILIPPINES - SOURCE: GMA NEWS.TV

'THE WORST IS OVER'; SANTI NOW OVER SOUTH CHINA SEA

(by Mark D. Merueñas, GMANews.TV - 10/31/2009 | 11:11 AM )

(Update 2, 12:28 p.m.) Despite POWER OUTAGES and FLOODING in several parts of LUZON, including METRO MANILA, state weather sciences bureau chief Nathaniel Cruz said the worst might be over as Tropical Cyclone SANTI (MIRINAE) continued on a straight path out of the country.

In an 11 a.m. press briefing, Cruz said that SANTI is now on its way out of the Philippine area of responsibility and is now over the South China Sea.

He also said Storm Signal warnings in several areas in Luzon have been lifted.

"The worst is over for Metro Manila," Cruz said in an early Saturday interview over radio dzBB.

"There is very little possibility or no possibility at all that SANTI will return to the country. Expect the gradual improvement of weather conditions in METRO MANILA and other areas where Santi passed through.

Typhoon Santi threatened to ruin the All Souls' Day weekend for many Filipinos planning for family reunions and visits to the dead.

But Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) chief Prisco Nilo assured that SANTI would have already been too far away from land by Sunday or All Souls' Day to cause any more downpour.

We can finally light our candles for All Souls' Day," Cruz said.

If there will still be rains in Luzon, Santi no longer has anything to do with it. Those rains will probably be just localized," Cruz added.

The Pagasa said SANTI is expected to be out of the Philippine area of responsibility on Sunday morning.

WELL-BEHAVED TYPHOON

Nilo has earlier been quoted in a television report as saying that SANTI was a "well-behaved typhoon" compared to its predecessor, Typhoon RAMIL (LUPIT).

After keeping much of Luzon on edge for over a week, Ramil finally moved out of the country on Oct. 24, following an erratic path toward Luzon.

On Saturday morning, rains have stopped in Quezon City and several parts of Metro Manila. But over at Quezon province, where Santi made landfall on Friday evening, strong winds and scattered rains still prevail, according to a television report.

Santi caused FLOODS and MASSIVE POWER OUTAGES as it charged through parts of Metro Manila and southern Luzon Saturday morning.

Parts of MANILA , including España Boulevard in Sampaloc and parts of Taft Avenue were swamped with FLOODWATERS early Saturday after incessant rains from the typhoon.

In San Juan City, dzBB’s Sam Nielsen reported that floodwaters neared knee-high in Salapan village.

BROWNOUTS

Meanwhile, the strong winds brought by Santi have caused massive brownouts in parts of LUZON, including METRO MANILA. In Quezon province, radio dzBB’s Carlo Mateo reported that power went out as early as 11 p.m.

The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) gave the public two cell phone numbers to send in their reports or complaints through text messages. These are 0920-9292824 and 0917-5592824.

“Our call centers are swamped," Meralco External Communications Manager Joe Zaldarriaga said on dzBB radio, referring to their 16211 hotline.

He said the power outages were mainly due to winds from Santi affecting Meralco’s power lines.

But the power outage in some parts of southern Metro Manila was due to five Meralco posts toppled by winds.

The toppled posts at the corner of Buendia and Taft Avenue Extension caused heavy traffic.

AIRPORT

Meanwhile, flight schedules of the Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific at the NAIA have all resumed by 10 a.m.

He said after the arrival of the LA flight, other international flights from South Korea and Singapore, as well as a number of domestic flights of the PAL have started arriving at the NAIA.

Escundo also said they have begun dispatching replacement flights to accommodate their passengers affected by delayed flights.

Candice Iyog, vice president for corporate affairs of the Cebu Pacific, said operations have gone back to normal, but said some passengers might still wait a little longer before they can get on board their respective flights.

She said the delays were not only due to bad weather triggered by Santi but also to the power outage that struck Terminal 3 of the NAIA.

MOVING OUT

The eye of SANTI is currently hovering over LUBANG ISLAND in the northern end of MINDORO, or some 120 kilometers southwest of Metro Manila.

Cruz said the typhoon is expected to be out of Philippine territory by Sunday morning, or about 630 kms away from the Philippine capital.

Santi's speed slowed down to 22 kilometers per hour and it packed maximum winds of 120 kms per hour, based on the latest advisory from Pagasa.

The highest volume of rainfall from Santi was recorded in Alabat town in Quezon province, where 350 mm of rains fell starting Friday night until 8 a.m. of Saturday.

Winds were strongest at the Sangley Point in Cavite with a speed of 125 kph. At the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Metro Manila, which experienced power outages, wind speed was recorded at 105 kph.

GMANews.TV

NDCC: OVER 115,000 PEOPLE AFFECTED BY SANTI (10/31/2009 | 11:57 AM)

At least one person was reported missing while more than 115,000 people were affected in the wake of Typhoon Santi (Mirinae), the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said Saturday.

But NDCC spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres Jr. said the worst of Santi appeared to have passed as the weather has improved, allowing people to mark the All Saints' weekend.

Our fellow Filipinos can commemorate All Saints' Day," he said in an interview on dzBB radio.

He also said authorities appeared to be better prepared this time, unlike last September when they were caught flatfooted when Typhoon ONDOY (KETSANA) lashed Luzon.

The local disaster coordinating councils responded quickly and preemptively evacuated residents in coastal areas out of harm's way, he said.

Local disaster coordinating councils played a key role, down to the village levels. Everyone did his share to prepare for Santi," he said.

"Hopefully we can be this prepared for other typhoons to come," he added.

Citing reports reaching him, Torres said search operations are now ongoing for a man in Muntinlupa City, after floods washed away their shanty.

He said Bureau of Fire Protection personnel managed to rescue the man's two children.

In Laguna, 20 fishermen were rescued at Tinigiban village in Calauag, Quezon province.

On the other hand, the NDCC's 6 a.m. report Saturday indicated 23,101 families or 115,507 people were preemptively evacuated in 251 evacuation centers in Metro Manila, Southern Luzon and Bicol.

Some 200 families were forcibly evacuated in Lingga village in Calamba City in Laguna.

At least 8,567 passengers, 411 trucks, 110 cars, 82 passenger buses, 15 vessels, 13 motorized bancas, and 61 vessels were stranded while 48 motorized bancas took shelter in ports as of 10 p.m. Friday, NDCC said.

FLOODS

Floods were waist-deep in Barangay 183, knee-deep in Barangay 185, and two feet high in Barangay 184 in Pasay City.

In San Juan City, floods were knee-deep in San Perfect, Balong Bato, Progreso and Batis Streets. In Navotas City, floods were two feet deep in San Jose village.

Floods were knee-deep in Libjo area in Parañaque City, at the back of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

DAMS

The NDCC said Ambuklao Dam continued to release water as a preemptive measure.

As of 4 a.m. Saturday, Ambuklao kept four gates open to release water at 22 cubic meters per second.

Pantabangan Dam, which was also kept open Friday, was closed as of 4 a.m.

POWER AND TELECOMS

Power outages were reported in General Nakar, Alabat Island, Real and Infanta towns in Quezon province, where "Santi" made landfall.

In Bicol, Camarines Norte except Daet was without power, but the NDCC said this was a preemptive measure of the National Electrification Authority.

The NDCC said the NEA found some damages along backbone lines in the Camarines Norte area.

Camarines Norte Electric Cooperative substations were also shut down.

TELECOMS

There was no signal for Smart and Globe in Panganiban town in Camarines Norte, and no signal for Smart in Sta. Elena town.On the other hand, Camarines Norte provincial police's communication facilities were bogged down due to strong winds.

ROADS

In Bicol, only one lane of Maharlika Highway between Labo and Daet was passable, while clearing operations are ongoing to remove fallen trees.

Inalmasinan Road Section is impassable due to flooding, however.

GMANews.TV

Expect rains in Luzon even after ‘Santi’ due to LPA

'SANTI' WEAKENS INTO A TROPICAL STORM, LEAVES AT LEAST 12 DEAD

Arroyo orders relief, rehab operations for 'Santi'-hit areas

Health worker rescued, 2 missing as car falls from collapsed Batangas bridge

4.9-magnitude quake rocks central Luzon

Several of the above articles (only stated as headlines might be posted later today, but I do not have more time now or for the coming 5 hours or so).

nancyk58 · October 31, 2009

NORWAY'S TV2 TEXT, page 128:

The Philippines hit by the third typhoon in 5 weeks, and 7 people died after the typhoon rushed through the island of LUZON in the northern part of the Philippines. Substantial material damage. On Saturday the typhoon "Mirinae" aka.SANTI ravaged in the northern parts of the Philippines with a wind speed of 51 m per second. The typhoon forced more than 105,000 people to flee their homes.

German ZDFtext, page 138:

At least 11 people died in a typhoon in the Philippines. The typhoon "Mirinae" aka. SANTI cost at least 11 human lives in the eastern and southern parts of the Philippines. Many people missing. The typhoon caused floods and power failures, most of the victims drowned. More than 115,000 people were brought into safety by the authorities before the storm hit the Philippines.

At the end of September and at the beginning of October the typhoons KETSANA and PARMA caused much damage and devastation in the Philippines. More than 900 people died. A third typhoon touched (on) the northern part of the Philippines.

German ARD, page 130:

Typhoon moves across the southern and eastern parts of the Philippines. At least 12 died. With stormy rain the typhoon Mirinae aka. SANTI passed across the Eastern and Southern parts of the Philippines. More than 100,000 people had to bring themselves into safety. In the coastal regions of the province QUEZON 120 km East of the capital Manila, dozens of houses were swept into the sea. Power failures in several places.

The typhoon had a wind speed of up to 185 km per hour and was the fourth typhon in less than a month hitting the Philippines.

The following articles from GMA News.TV

'SANTI' MOVES FURTHER AWAY FROM RP; AT LEAST 13 KILLED

by Andreo C. Calonzo, GMA News.TV

(UPDATE 3, 11:05 p.m.) Unlike past tropical cyclones that stayed longer and caused heavy casualties, SANTI left as fast as it arrived, leaving at least 13 dead and over 2,000 families affected.

Tropical cyclone Santi (Mirinae) unleashed its wrath Friday evening causing power outages, floods, and landslides in some areas in Luzon.

The state weather bureau on Saturday evening lifted the remaining storm warning earlier hoisted over Lubang Island northwest of Mindoro.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) listed 10 fatalities in its 6 p.m. bulletin.

NDCC identified the fatalities as:

Sarah Mae Vargas and Rodrigo Rodriguez from Camarines Norte who both died due to hypothermia;

Louie Alano of Catanduanes who also died of hypothermia;

Flora Estacion of Camarines Norte who drowned;

Tirso Ramos of Cavite who fell from a roof;

Edsel Laviña and Roderico Cabardo of Laguna who both drowned;

Marge Taiño and Julieta Zagure of Laguna who were pinned under collapsed wall and

Edwin Capayas of Quezon who drowned.

The NDCC said SANTI affected some 2,251 families or 10,667 people in 54 villages in seven provinces. Of these, 1,130 families or 5,173 families are staying in 23 evacuation centers.

The list does not yet include three other reported fatalities in Camarines Norte earlier reported by Region 5 Disaster Coordinating Council Director Bernardo Alejandro.

Several areas in METRO MANILA and SOUTHERN LUZON also remain FLOODED, while areas in Laguna, Quezon and Rizal provinces remained WITHOUT ELECTRIC POWER, NDCC said.

At least two areas in Camarines Norte province were CUT OFF, experiencing both POWER and CELL COMMUNICATIONS OUTAGES.

In its 11 p.m. weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Santi’s maximum sustained winds was at 95 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, with gustiness of up to 120 kph.

Pagasa last spotted SANTI over the SOUTH CHINA SEA, 360 kilometers west southwest of Metro Manila, moving westward at 22 kph.

The storm is forecast to move farther away from the country and is expected to be 830 km west southwest of the National Capital Region by Sunday evening.

Foreign weather agencies such as the US Navy Joint Typhoon Warning Center and the JAPAN Meteorological Agency forecast Santi to hit VIETNAM by Monday morning.

GMANews.TV

EXPECT RAINS IN LUZON EVEN AFTER ‘SANTI’ DUE TO LPA (LOW PRESSURE AREA)

10/31/2009 | 06:48 PM

Although tropical cyclone SANTI is expected to leave the country soon, northern and central LUZON will continue having rains in the coming week, the state weather bureau said Saturday.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said a new Low Pressure Area (LPA) in the Pacific Ocean would bring occasional rains to northern and southern Luzon starting Monday.

Pagasa said it was closely monitoring the air mass heading toward southern LUZON and the VISAYAS, which could develop into a new cyclone. The northeast monsoon, which will start affecting the country’s weather in November, will also bring scattered rain showers over Luzon.

“An approaching LPA may bring rains, and the strong northeast monsoon can also bring scattered rain showers especially in northern and southern Luzon," Pagasa spokesperson Nathaniel Cruz said in a press briefing.

SANTI is forecast to leave the Philippine area of responsibility by SUNDAY afternoon, and is very unlikely to return to the country.

Pagasa expects one to two more tropical cyclones to enter the Philippines before the year ends. The country is within the northwestern Pacific area, which has around 27 tropical cyclones a year.

“These would enter the Philippine area of responsibility but this does not mean that all these cyclones would pass through the country" Cruz said.

by Andreo C. Calonzo, GMANews.TV

4 STILL MISSING IN 'SANTI' WAKE; FLOODS, OUTAGES HOUND SOUTH LUZON

10/31/2009 | 10:15 PM

At least four people remain missing in the wake of tropical cyclone "SANTI" (Mirinae), which charged through SOUTHERN LUZON and BICOL SATURDAY.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), in its 6 p.m. report, also confirmed the death of at least 10 people from SOUTHERN LUZON and BICOL.

Missing are Anthony Espidido of Ilaya village in San Roque, Liliw in Laguna; Romulo and Nicholo Soriano of Batangas City; and Victoria Delmoro of Quezon.

Espidido went missing during a flash flood and landslide in Laguna, while the Sorianos were in a car that fell into the water after the Bridge of Promise in Batangas City collapsed.

Delmoro was carried away by strong flood current.

FATALITIES

The fatalities were identified as:

Sarah Mae Vargas and Rodrigo Rodriguez from Camarines Norte who both died due to hypothermia;

Louie Alano of Catanduanes who also died of hypothermia;

Flora Estacion of Camarines Norte who drowned;

Tirso Ramos of Cavite who fell from a roof; a

Edsel Laviña and Roderico Cabardo of Laguna who both drowned;

Marge Taiño and Julieta Zagure of Laguna who were both pinned under collapsed wall and

Edwin Capayas of Quezon who drowned.

Injured were Maricel dela Rosa of Catanduanes, who was hit by a tree trunk; and Malou Soriano of Batangas City, who was hurt in the collapse of the Bridge of Promise.

The NDCC said "Santi" affected some 2,251 families or 10,667 people in 54 villages in seven provinces.

Of these, 1,130 families or 5,173 families are staying in 23 evacuation centers.

As of Saturday noon, "Santi" stranded 9,012 boat passengers, 598 vehicles and 10 vessels in ports around Luzon and Visayas.

Some 23,103 families or 115,507 people were preemptively evacuated to 251 evacuation centers.

WASHED OUT HOUSES IN CAVITE

In Cavite, floodwaters washed out 50 houses in Santolan in Dalig village in Cardona town, while a storm surge destroyed houses in Barangay San Rafael 3 in Noveleta town.

At least 25 houses were destroyed in San Jose village in Cavite after a tornado tore through the area.

In METRO MANILA, floods were knee-deep in Tanza village in Navotas City, while Daanghari village there was flooded but passable.

Floodwaters in Pasig City were up to 10 inches high in Santolan and Kalawaan villages. In Taguig City, floods were knee-deep in Bagumbayan, Lower Bicutan and Ibayo-Tipas villages.

In Laguna, the Sta. Cruz River overflowed and submerged 85 percent of Sta. Cruz town, with floodwater levels waist-deep in some villages and five feet deep in Pagsanjan town.

Floods also submerged parts of Rizal and San Lorenzo villages in Sta. Elena town in Camarines Norte in Bicol.

BRIDGES COLLAPSE IN LAGUNA, BATANGAS

In Laguna, the Olla Bridge near Grotto and the bridge at the boundary of Magdalena and Majayjay collapsed, while the road from Lumban to Sta. Maria and Pangil was not passable due to floods.

Portions of the National Road from Barangays Pansol, Bucal to Halang, Calamba were not passable to light vehicles.

Roads in Pagsanjan, Mabitac and Famy were underwater and not passable to light vehicles.

In Batangas, the Bridge of Promise connecting Gulod labor and Kumintang Ibaba of Batangas City collapsed due to strong flood currents.

In Quezon province, Maligaya village road in Atimonan town became impassable due to overflowing river.

FALLEN TREES IN CAMARINES NORTE

In Camarines Norte, fallen trees and electric poles blocked road sections in Paracale, Labo, Vinzaons, and Basud, while a landslide made the road in Sitio Paraiso in Bulala, Sta. Elena not passable.

Fallen trees similarly blocked Maharlika Highway in Libmanan, Camarines Sur.

At least 23 out of 60 circuits of the Manila Electric Co. in Southern Luzon had been re-energized as of 6 p.m.

POWER OUTAGES

There is still no power in Calamba, Famy, Mabitac, Lumban, Paete, Pakil, Pangil, Luisiana, Majayjay, Cavinti, Calamba and Sta. Cruz in Laguna.

In Quezon, there is no power in General Nakar, Alabat Island, Real and Infanta.

Similarly without power are Morong, Baras and Talim Island in Rizal.

In Bicol, the entire Camarines Norte province remained without power.

In Metro Manila, Urdaneta and Olympia villages in Makati City, and Milagrosa village in Quezon City were without power due to damaged power lines and transformers.

Cell phone service in Jose Panganiban and Sta. Elena in Camarines Norte were out.

GMANews.TV

Headlines of the following articles posted earlier today - a short summary of the articles below)

ARROYO ORDERS RELIEF, REHAB OPERATIONS FOR 'SANTI'-HIT AREAS

10/31/2009 | 01:42 PM

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered disaster management teams Saturday to undertake immediate relief and rehabilitation work in areas affected by Typhoon Santi (Mirinae).

NDCC: OVER 115,000 PEOPLE AFFECTED BY SANTI

10/31/2009 | 11:57 AM

At least one person was reported missing while more than 115,000 people were affected in the wake of Typhoon SANTI (Mirinae), the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said Saturday.

'THE WORST IS OVER'; SANTI NOW OVER SOUTH CHINA SEA

10/31/2009 | 11:11 AM

A generally well-behaved Tropical Cyclone SANTI (Mirinae) continued on a straight path out of the country Saturday morning, leaving several parts of Luzon in floodwaters and without electricity.

'SANTI' FORCES 'EXTENSION' OF VOTERS' REGISTRATION

10/31/2009 | 10:34 AM

Due to Typhoon SANTI, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) was forced to extend its registration for the 2010 elections in areas affected by power outages.

nancyk58 · November 1, 2009

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN THE PHILIPPINES 1 NOVEMBER 2009

The articles below all have GMA NEWS.TV as source.

CLOUDY ALL SOULS' DAY LOOMS - PAGASA

11/01/2009 | 06:42 PM

A shallow low-pressure area (SLPA) may bring about a cloudy All Souls' Day in parts of the country, state weather forecasters said Sunday afternoon.

NDCC LIST OF IMPASSABLE ROADS AS OF NOV. 1, 2009

11/01/2009 | 11:04 AM

Typhoon SANTI (Mirinae) may have already left Philippine territory, but the rains and winds it brought rendered some roads and bridges in Luzon impassable.

Meralco: DAMAGED POWER LINES NOW FULLY RESTORED 11/01/2009 | 11:01 AM

The 683 power circuits in Luzon that have been destroyed by typhoon SANTI have been fully energized since 5 a.m. Sunday, the Manila Electric Co. said.

TYPHOON ‘SANTI’ DEATH TOLL CLIMBS TO 14 – NDCC

By: Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV - 11/01/2009 | 12:20 PM

The number of lives claimed by typhoon “SANTI" (MIRINAE) rose to 14 on SUNDAY morning, while FOUR are still MISSING and FOUR others reported INJURED, according to the National Disaster Coordinating Council's latest report.

The NDCC identified the fatalities as:

Sarah Mae Vargas and Rodrigo Rodriguez from Camarines Norte who both died due to hypothermia;

Louie Alano of Catanduanes who also died of hypothermia;

Flora Estacion, Jose Eboña, Maria Ferrer, and Rasco Rodriquez of Camarines Norte who drowned;

Tirso Ramos of Cavite who fell from a roof;

Edsel Laviña and Roderico Cabardo of Laguna who both drowned;

Marge Taiño and Julieta Zagure of Laguna who were pinned under collapsed wall, and

Edwin Capayas of Quezon who drowned.

Reported missing are Anthony Espidido of Laguna, Romulo and Nicolo Soriano of Laguna, and Victoria del Moro of Quezon.

Those injured were Maricel dela Rosa, John Mar Agaton, Malou Soriano, and Victor Macalalad.

The NDCC said SANTI AFFECTED about 2,853 families or 13,456 people across CENTRAL LUZON, METRO MANILA, SOUTHERN LUZON, and BICOL regions.

Some 1,976 families or 9,290 people are DISPLACED and are now in 32 evacuation centers in the region.

SANTI MOVES AWAY

Santi, which had already weakened into a tropical storm, continued to move further away from Philippine territory.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), said Santi was located at 610 kilometers west-southwest of Metro Manila.

In its 10:45 a.m. bulletin, Pagasa said Santi packed maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour, with gusts of 100 kph.

Moving westward at 20 kph, Santi is expected to be 8001 km west-southwest of Metro Manila on Sunday evening.

POWER OUTAGES

SANTI unleashed its fury on FRIDAY evening, with its RAINS and WINDS downed power and communication lines, destroyed roads and bridges, and caused flooding and landslides.

Earlier in the day, power utility Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said all 683 destroyed power circuits have already been energized even as some areas continued to experience power outages and interruptions.

“With the restoration of all our affected circuits, we are now conducting mopping operations and attending to individual concerns of customers which we hope to complete at the soonest time possible," said Meralco external communications manager Jose Zaldarriaga in a statement.

Those experiencing brownouts can contact Meralco at 16211. Other queries can also be reported to 09175592824 and 09209292824.

Based on the NDCC list, areas still without electricity or experiencing power interruptions are:

In National Capital Region: Barangay Urdaneta and Olympia in Makati City, Barangay Milagrosa in Quezon City, Barangay Rincon in Valenzuela City;

In Pampanga: Barangay Gatiwainand Matamo in Arayat town, Barangay San Vicente in Masantol town;

In Laguna: Calamba, Famy, Mabitac, Lumban, Paete, Pakil, Pangil, Luisiana, Majayjay, Cavinti, Calamba, and Sta. Cruz;

In Quezon: General Nakar, Real, Infanta, and Alabat Island;

In Rizal: Morong, Baras, and Talim Island;

In Bicol Region: province-wide power interruption in Camarines Norte.

I'm editing Google's translations of some articles published in UNICEF's latest NEWSLETTER. These articles deal with the situation in the Philippines, and there is a letter from a Filipino named Jaime - I am planning to post these later today. :)

nancyk58 · November 1, 2009

E-NEWSLETTER FROM UNICEF RECEIVED FRIDAY 30 OCTOBER 2009:

Several millions of persons are affected by typhoons in the Philippines

UNICEF distributes supplies to typhoon victims in Philippines

29-10-2009 - After the tropical storm KETSANA and the typhoon PARMA hit the Philippines in late September and early October, UNICEF is now working hard to help many of the 8.5 million people affected by disasters.

More than 2,400 schools have been destroyed

More than 2,400 schools have been destroyed, and many of the remaining schools are currently used to house many of the people who are forced to leave their homes because of the water masses. Many schools are closed for teaching.

Quickly back to school

For the children, it is important quickly to come back to school and everyday life. Many children lost their school books, and here UNICEF is distributing school kits.

UNICEF distributes school kits

So far, UNICEF has distributed thousands of school kits and educational materials to over 50 schools in two of the worst hit areas, Marikina and Pasig.

Hygiene is a priority

At present, water supply, sanitation and better hygiene also have a very high priority. Cholera and diarrhoea spread easily when many people are brought together under poor sanitary conditions.

Sanitation kits to 340,000 people in a week

Therefore, UNICEF has ensured the most basic health services to slightly more than one million people. Only last week, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) kits were distributed to 340,000 people in the northern part of the country.

UNICEF distributes equipment for water purification and storage

Also water-storage containers help to improve hygiene, and UNICEF has already distributed hundreds of kits for water purification and storage to families in the worst affected areas, and that work continues.

UNICEF supports children

Many children have traumas after the disasters and therefore need psychosocial support. UNICEF is therefore establishing child-friendly places and trains volunteers to help the children.

UNICEF is working to reunite children and families

UNICEF has also worked to obtain registration of the many children who got lost, so that they can be reunited with their parents as soon as possible.

UNICEF NEEDS MORE FUNDS

UNICEF supports the Philippine government's work for vulnerable children, but there is a massive need for more funds to continue the work.

The Philippines was not the only country that was hard hit by a natural disaster. Indonesia and Samoa were hit hard by an earthquake and a tsunami.

All UNICEF offices are working to help many of the affected people.

Fears of new tragedies in Indonesia

08-10-2009 – Right now the risk of disease outbreaks and exploitation of children necessitates urgent action after the earthquake in West Sumatra.

Disease outbreaks might trigger a new tragedy

In Indonesia, the search for survivors in the ruins after the earthquake has now ceased, and UNICEF is now focusing on reducing the consequences for the affected children. The area is now characterized by very poor hygienic conditions and lack of clean water. There is a high risk of outbreaks of infectious diseases and if so, a new tragedy is feared. UNICEF is working hard to prevent this and is right now distributing water tanks, water pumps, water purification tablets and other equipment to ensure clean water and good hygiene for up to 50,000 families.

Safety for children

The earthquake has made several children orphans and thus at risk of child labour and abuse. Many are now living with relatives and friends, and UNICEF is trying to help these children by ensuring that they do not disappear and that the proper network will be contacted.

Fear of the future

Many thousands of children have been traumatized by what they have experienced. They now fear for the future. They fear that more earthquakes shall strike, or that more buildings are going to collapse. UNICEF is trying to protect these children by giving them a life as soon as possible and, i.a. by ensuring that they are back in school as soon as possible.

In school in a tent

Large parts of the schools in the area have been destroyed, and right now 90,000 children need help getting back to school. In Padang UNICEF is providing 250 tent schools so that the children can resume their education as soon as possible and thus again have a solid and comfortable everyday life.

180,000 houses damaged

So far 603 people are confirmed dead, but many are still missing, so the figure could approach 1,000. In the earthquake zone up to 40 percent of the population is for the time being without electricity, and nearly 180,000 houses have been damaged. UNICEF's efforts continue, and in addition to the work with clean water and schooling, Unicef works to ensure proper nutrition and health care for the many affected children and their families.

UNICEF Denmark collects money for the Asian children affected by the natural disasters

02-10-2009 -- UNICEF Denmark has launched an emergency collection for the children in Southeast Asia who are hard hit by a series of natural disasters.

Earthquakes in SUMATRA, the tsunami in the Pacific islands of SAMOA and TONGA, typhoon in the PHILIPPINES and other Asian countries. Southeast Asia is currently unusually hard hit by a series of natural disasters that have hit the region within a few days.

More than one thousand people killed in the desperate situation

More than one thousand people have been killed, and the death toll (number of people dead) is feared to rise sharply in the days to come. The situation is desperate, and hundreds of thousands of children need emergency aid.

Emergency assistance is dispatched from Copenhagen

UNICEF is fully engaged in relief work in all the countries concerned. Emergency aid is distributed from local stores. The first shipment of water purification tablets have already been sent off by plane from UNICEF World Warehouse in Copenhagen.

UNICEF prepares for a new disaster

More relief in the form of, inter alia, medicine and water purification equipment is on its way to the disaster-affected children and their families. At the same time, UNICEF gets ready to respond to another disaster in the Philippines, where a new typhoon is threatening.

Every hour counts

"Here and now it is about saving children's lives, and every hour counts. The children are extremely vulnerable when disaster strikes. UNICEF works hard around the clock in all the affected disaster areas to provide clean water, safe shelter for many homeless families and to prevent outbreaks of infectious diseases, "says Steen M. Andersen, Secretary General of UNICEF Denmark.

Thousands of children's lives are threatened

Thousands of children's lives are threatened by such disasters. Our work can save the children's lives, but we urgently need funds to finance the relief effort, "says Steen M. Andersen.

nancyk58 · November 2, 2009

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA 2 NOVEMBER 2009

Some headlines:

Typhoon Santi leaves 3 dead, over 2,000 homeless in Camarines Norte - (2009-11-02 10:50:56)

Over 200 homes damaged by Typhoon SANTI in Taytay, Rizal - 2009-11-02 08:32

All articles posted in this post has GMA NEWS.TV as source

NDCC list of impassable roads as of Nov. 2, 2009

(1/02/2009 | 09:10 AM)

When Typhon SANTI unleashed its wrath from Friday evening to Saturday morning, it left in its wake LANDSLIDES and FLOODS, DAMAGED BRIDGES, and downed power and communication lines in some areas in LUZON.

The cyclone may no longer be within the Philippine area of responsibility, but roads and bridges are still rendered impassable, according to the National Disaster Coordinating Council's latest report on Monday morning.

As of Monday morning, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said no tropical cyclone exists within Philippine territory, but a LOW-PRESSURE AREA was spotted at 400 kilometers east of Central LUZON. - Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV

AFTER ‘SANTI,’ NDCC TO FOCUS ON REHAB WORK

(by Sophia M. Dedace, GMANews.TV - 11/02/2009 | 10:03 AM)

After Typhoon SANTI (international name: MIRINAE) battered portions of LUZON over the weekend, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) on Monday said it would focus its efforts on helping the victims restore their lives.

Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, NDCC spokesperson, said the body would likewise zero in on towns in Laguna that are still flood-stricken.

"We are focusing on flooded areas in Sta. Cruz, Pagsanjan, Lumban, and Los Baños in Laguna," Torres said in an interview on GMA’s Unang Hirit.

He added that the NDCC and its regional offices were able to mitigate Santi’s devastating effects because they were able to implement preemptive measures.

Because SANTI is the FOURTHE TROPICAL CYCLONE to visit the country for the month of October, the NDCC said they have been used to making preparations.

We were able to preposition relief goods in some regions, that’s why we are not worrying about a lot of things," Torres noted.

The official said they are still determining the amount of damages wrought by the typhoon, which had already exited Philippine territory and weakened into a tropical storm. Torres said only Camarines Norte‘s local government has reported that their province suffered P15.6 million worth of damages.

As of Monday morning, the NDCC’s tally of deaths caused by SANTI has climbed to 16. Four people were injured while four others are still missing.

The fatalities were identified as:

Tirso Ramos of Cavite

Roderico Cabardo, Edsel Loviña, Margie Taliño, and Julieta Zaguire of Laguna

Edwin Cayapas of Quezon province

Dodoy Delabajan and Vergel Zuniga of Rizal

Analiza dela Cruz, Jose Eboña, Flora Estacion, Maria Ferrer, Rodrigo Rodriguez, Rasco Rogelio, Sarah Mae Vargas of Camarines Norte

Louie Alano of Catanduanes

The NDCC said about 11,158 families or 54,630 people were affected in CENTRAL LUZON, SOUTHERN LUZON, METRO MANILA and the BICOL REGION.

A total of 3,924 families or 19,356 people are still taking refuge in 103 evacuation centers across the said regions, the NDCC said.

GMANews.TV

ONDOY's LESSONS IGNORED IN TRASH-FILLED MANILA CEMETERIES

(By Sophia M. Dedace, GMANews.TV - 11/02/2009 | 12:10 PM)

The lessons from tropical storm ONDOY, which brought EPIC FLOODS in the nation’s CAPITAL partly as a result of garbage-clogged canals and drainage systems, seem to be lost on MANILA RESIDENTS who generated TONS OF GARBAGE during the observance of All Saints’ Day over the weekend.

Tony Dizon, a coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition, said parts of the Manila North Cemetery, Manila South Cemetery, and the Chinese Cemetery resembled garbage dump sites with mounds of trash piled up in many corners of the most populated burial grounds in the metropolis.

“We are really saddened by what we have seen. It’s as if they didn’t learn from the floods brought by ONDOY and PEPENG," Dizon lamented in a phone interview with GMANews.TV on Monday.

He attributed the massive flooding brought by ONDOY to the clogging of storm drainage and waterways due to plastic rubbish and other trash.

Every year, the EcoWaste Coalition conducts information drives in Metro Manila’s main cemeteries by handing out leaflets on the hazards of improper waste disposal. But even though they had beefed up their campaign, Dizon said: “A lot of people still throw their trash anywhere in the cemeteries."

Dizon said their main goal is to minimize the amount of garbage in cemeteries, which he said could pose health hazards by emitting harmful fumes. He said data from Manila City Hall showed that from November 1 to 5 last year, about 180 trucks of garbage were hauled from the Manila North, Manila South and Chinese Cemeteries. The trash collected weighed approximately 1,145 tons.

This year, Dizon said the group is hoping that the figures would go down.

CALLS UNHEEDED

Last week, Manila North Cemetery Administration officer-in-charge Peter Tamondong said the cemetery management and staff “can only do so much and we really need the people to help and be involved" in disposing of their trash properly.

Even Manila Police District head Chief Superintendent Rodolfo Magtibay appealed to cemetery visitors to bring their own garbage bags.

But their calls fell on deaf ears.

On Monday, garbage collectors started gathering heaps of trash left by hundreds of thousands who paid their respects to loved ones in Metro Manila’s most populated cemeteries.

At the Manila North Cemetery, garbage trucks were loaded with trash left by an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 people who flocked to the cemetery last Sunday.

“Garbage always piles up here during this occasion. People have no discipline. They just throw their trash anywhere," said Boy Legaspi in an interview with GMANews.TV. Legaspi visits his deceased parents and siblings at the North Cemetery.

GMA News’ Kara David reported that other collectors made money out of the trash by sifting through the rubbish for items made of plastic, which they would sell at P5 per kilogram. Others also scavenged for melted candle wax, which they would sell at P12 per kilogram.

Even as the crowd lessened at the Manila North Cemetery on Monday, security remained tight. Alcoholic drinks, sharp objects, bladed weapons, and even belts with big buckles are still prohibited within the premises.

LARGEST BURIAL GROUNDS

Sprawled across 54 hectares of land, the Manila North Cemetery is the country’s largest burial grounds. It is also home to at least 2,000 people who share living space with the deceased.

At the South Cemetery in Makati City, radio dzBB reported that food wrappers and other trash were scattered on the grounds after people visited their dead over the weekend. The South Cemetery occupies a 25-hectare expanse.

NOT SPARED

Even private cemeteries that are not densely populated were not spared. At the Holy Cross Memorial Park in Novaliches, Quezon City, families on picnic mode had to contend with the stench of garbage.

There are ample garbage bins in the cemetery, but some people still threw their trash into the nearby creek. Plastic bags, juice cups, paper plates and spoiled leftovers lay on the ground, attracting flies.

Meanwhile, some volunteer groups eased their clean-up operations in cemeteries Monday, anticipating a return to normal once All Souls’ Day ends.

- with reports from Amita Legaspi and Joseph Holandes Ubalde, GMANews.TV

5 areas under signal 1 as LPA develops into tropical depression

(11/02/2009 | 06:40 PM )

At least five areas in northern LUZON placed under Storm Signal No. 1 as a low-pressure area east of LUZON intensified into a TROPICAL DEPRESSION Monday afternoon.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration code-named the TROPICAL DEPRESSION “TINO," the 20th weather disturbance in Philippine territory this year.

Pagasa spokesman Nathaniel Cruz however said “TINO" is not directly affecting Metro Manila, which experienced rains in the afternoon.

“It is far from Metro Manila," Cruz said in an interview on dzRH radio.

In its 5 p.m. advisory, Pagasa said “TINO" was 270 kms east of Tuguegarao City as of 4 p.m., with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center. It was moving west-northwest at 15 kph and is expected to be 90 kms north of Aparri, Cagayan or in the vicinity of Calayan Island Tuesday afternoon.

By Wednesday afternoon it is expected to be 420 kms northwest of Aparri, Cagayan or 330 kms West Northwest of Basco, Batanes.

Under Storm Signal No. 1 are Isabela, Cagayan, Babuyan, Calayan Islands, and Batanes Group of Islands.

Northern and Central LUZON are still reeling from the effects of tropical storms “ONDOY" (KETSANA) and “PEPENG" (PARMA).

Pagasa reminded residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes to take precautions against possible FLASHFLOODS and LANDSLIDES. It added the rest of Northern LUZON will have occasional RAINS and GUSTY WINDS due to the surge of the northeast monsoon.

The JAPAN METEOROLOGICAL AGENCY said “TINO" was moving west-northwest at 17 knots (31 kph), with maximum winds of 30 knots (35 kph) near the center.

GMANews.TV

VIETNAM EVACUATES COASTAL AREAS AS STORM MIRINAE NEARS

(11/02/2009 | 12:34 PM)

HANOI, VIETNAM — Vietnam evacuated coastal areas Monday as tropical storm MIRINAE approached after battering the Philippines, where it left 20 people dead.

Mirinae weakened as it headed over the South China Sea and was downgraded from a typhoon to a tropical storm. It was expected to strike Vietnam's central coast sometime Monday afternoon.

Vietnamese authorities evacuated 20,000 people from coastal provinces, far fewer than they moved in advance of Typhoon KETSANA, which slammed Vietnam in SEPTEMBER, KILLING 160 people.

Some 7,600 residents, mostly the elderly and children, have been evacuated from their homes in coastal villages in Khanh Hoa province, said local disaster official Phan Hoang Duong.

In the provinces of Phu Yen and Binh Dinh, north of Khanh Hoa, more than 11,000 people have been evacuated, disaster officials there said.

Light rain was reported in the area Monday morning.

Both Vietnam and the Philippines are still recovering from KETSANA, which brought the Philippine capital, Manila, its worst flooding in 40 years.

KETSANA and two later storms KILLED MORE THAN 900 in the PHILIPPINES. Some 87,000 people who fled the storms were still living in temporary shelters when MIRINAE struck.

The latest typhoon left 20 dead, mostly from drowning, in six provinces. Four people were missing, disaster response officials said.

The storm did not keep the largely Roman Catholic country from paying respects to the dead on All Saints Day on Sunday. Huge crowds jammed cemeteries, with some people visiting still-flooded ones by boat.

In Rizal province, just east of Manila, villagers carrying flowers and candles paddled canoes into a rural cemetery that resembled a lake.

Joel Librilla thrust his hands into the waist-high waters to feel the letters on submerged tombstones in a search for his mother's grave.

"We don't know where to light our candles," Librilla told the Associated Press Television News. "But my mother should know that this is for her."

Forecasters said they were watching a low pressure area 379 miles (610 kilometers) off the country's eastern coast over the Pacific, but it was too early to tell if it will develop into yet another storm. - AP

'Santi' spoils relief goods for victims of past cyclones

(1/02/2009 | 09:19 AM )

Typhoon SANTI (MIRINAE) soaked in floodwaters relief goods for victims of past cyclones in a town in Laguna, forcing local officials there to ask for more food donations.

Santa Cruz town mayor Ariel Magcalas said Monday that the food supplies stocked in a covered court were flooded after Laguna de Bay overflowed over the weekend.

“We need food and water donations again as the relief goods we got for victims of cyclones ONDOY and PEPENG were soaked in floodwaters that rose up to the second layer of the stockpile of donated rice," Magcalas said in an interview on dzBB radio.

He said the United Nations’ World Food Programme officials advised him not to distribute the damaged food.

But he said they may distribute the “relatively" intact food items, including canned goods.

Magcalas said that as of Monday, some 26 villages in the town remained flooded.

In Majayjay town, meanwhile, SANTI caused jeep fares to triple, as a collapsed bridge there caused road rerouting, and operators blamed the long detour route for the tripling of fare rate.

Radio dzBB’s Nimfa Ravelo reported that the jeep fare went up from the regular P25 to as high as P75.

SANTI lashed Southern LUZON and BICOL after making landfall in Quezon province last Saturday.

Majayjay is a fourth-class town, with a population of 23,681 people in 4,978 households. - GMANews.TV

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