Tropical Storm Ramil Exits PAR, Leaves 7 Dead

Seven people were confirmed dead while two others remained missing in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Ramil, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

In its latest report, the NDRRMC said one person from Calabarzon was injured.

Five of the fatalities were recorded in Calabarzon, while the two other fatalities and two missing were from Western Visayas.

The storm affected around 173,000 people, with 6,199 taking temporary shelter in other locations.

The NDRRMC said on Monday, Oct. 20, 2,260 families were staying in 166 evacuation centers.

At least 58 seaports across affected areas remained non-operational.

To assist those affected by the storm, the Department of Social Welfare and Development said it has released a total of P5.4 million in humanitarian assistance to individuals and families affected by Ramil, which caused flooding in parts of Eastern and Western Visayas and nearby provinces.

The agency reported that the largest share of assistance went to Western Visayas at over P3 million worth of food and non-food items, followed by Central Luzon with P1.1 million, and the Bicol Region with over P1 million in aid.

As of Monday, 3,778 families or 12,550 individuals are taking temporary shelter in 237 evacuation centers across Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol and Western Visayas.

Another 2,719 families or 9,962 persons are staying with relatives or friends.

Dumlao assured affected communities of continued assistance.

Ramil exits PAR

Ramil (international name Fengshen) has exited the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) early Monday morning, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

In its 5 p.m. public weather forecast, PAGASA reported that Ramil left PAR around 5:50 a.m. and was located about 605 kilometers west of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.

Forecaster John Manalo said Ramil is no longer affecting any part of the country as it continues to move away from the country.

At present, easterlies – or warm winds from the Pacific Ocean – are influencing the country’s weather, bringing cloudy skies and scattered rains over Batanes and the Babuyan Islands.

The rest of the country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with a low chance of rain, although localized thunderstorms may still bring brief downpours in some areas.

PAGASA said the effect of the easterlies will persist, causing light rains in northern Luzon, while fair weather will prevail across most of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

No gale warning is currently in effect, but operators of small sea vessels are advised to take precaution as waves may still reach up to 2.5 meters, especially in open seas.

Over the next three days, generally to partly cloudy skies are expected over Luzon and Visayas, while Mindanao – particularly Davao and nearby eastern areas – may experience thunderstorms by Friday, Oct. 24.

PAGASA added that no tropical cyclone is expected to develop from Oct. 20 to 26, although a possible low-pressure area could form outside PAR between Oct. 27 and Nov. 2.

The bureau projects two to six more storms may enter or develop within the Philippine area before the year ends.

Class suspensions

Several local government units in Pangasinan suspended classes on Monday due to the lingering effects of storm Ramil.

Classes in all levels, both public and private, were suspended in Alaminos City and the towns of Burgos, Binmaley, Lingayen, Mangatarem, Urbiztondo, Malasiqui, Mapandan, Santa Barbara, Pozorrubio, Santo Tomas and Rosales.

In San Carlos City and the towns of Mabini, Sual, Aguilar, Labrador, Basista, Bayambang, San Jacinto, San Fabian and Bugallon, all levels were also suspended, with LGUs encouraging a temporary shift to alternative modes of learning.

Classes from preschool to senior high school were called off in Urdaneta City and the towns of Dasol, Calasiao, Manaoag, Mangaldan, Binalonan and Asingan, while Tayug suspended classes in preschool only.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office also advised fishermen to avoid venturing to sea for now due to rough conditions. – With Christine Boton, Delon Porcalla, Cesar Ramirez