Nearly 15,000 people affected by Typhoon Betty — NDRRMC

A total of 14,908 people or 3,821 families have been affected by Typhoon Betty, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Wednesday.

In its 8 a.m. report, the NDRRMC said the affected persons were reported in 94 barangays in Ilocos, Cagayan, Central Luzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

A total of 5,981 individuals or 1,815 families were preemptively evacuated, it added.

Damage to infrastructure worth P68,695 was reported in CAR.

At least five houses were reported either partly or totally damaged in Ilocos, Central Luzon, and CAR.

Power interruptions were experienced in 14 cities and municipalities in CAR, according to the NDRRMC.

A total of 123 domestic flights and 18 international flights were canceled in Cagayan, CAR, and the National Capital Region.

The operations in 72 seaports were suspended in Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, and Eastern Visayas.

A total of 313  classes and 99 work schedules were suspended due to the typhoon.

Assistance worth P1,958,008 were provided to the victims, the NDRRMC said.

As of 4 a.m. Wednesday, PAGASA said Betty was located at 320 kilometers east of Itbayat, Batanes packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour, gustiness of up to 150 km/h, and central pressure of 970 hPa.

It was moving slowly in the north northwest direction.

Betty is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Thursday evening or Friday morning, PAGASA said. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News