NDRRMC: Over 12,000 flee homes due to Jolina's wrath

A total of 2,753 families or 12,213 persons were affected so far by Severe Tropical Storm Jolina, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Wednesday.

In its report, the NDRRMC said there are 65 affected barangays in regions Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, and Eastern Visayas.

At least 8,600 people or 1,995 families were staying inside 55 evacuation centers, while 2,378 individuals or 548 families were taking temporary shelter in the houses of their friends and relatives.

Based on the report, 12 persons went missing.

The NDRRMC, at least 24 houses were reported damaged—22 were partially damaged and  two totally damaged—in Bicol Region and Western Visayas.

An infrastructure in Western Visayas was also reported damaged.

Power interruption was reported in eight cities. Of which, one has been restored.

An area in the Bicol region encountered problems with communication services.

At least 50 ports have suspended operation. Due to this, around 3,230 passengers; 1,040 rolling cargoes; 26 vessels; and a motor banca were stranded in Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas.

As of 1 p.m., PAGASA said Jolina was located in the vicinity of San Nicolas, Batangas with maximum sustained winds of 95 kph and gustiness of up to 160 kph, moving northwestward at 15 kph.

Jolina is expected to make another landfall in the vicinity of the Bataan Peninsula.

It is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Thursday night or early Friday morning.

Aside from Jolina, PAGASA is also monitoring Typhoon Kiko (international name: Chanthu), which is located 1,120 km east of Central Luzon as of 10 a.m. -NB, GMA News