State of calamity declared in 4 more provinces due to Carina, Habagat — Abalos

A state of calamity has been declared in four more provinces following the devastation wrought by the southwest monsoon enhanced by Super Typhoon Carina, Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. said Thursday.

During a situation briefing on Carina with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., Abalos said that aside from the cities in the National Capital Region (NCR), a state of calamity has been declared in Bataan, Bulacan, Batangas and Cavite.

The same was declared in Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro, Abalos said. Earlier, Abalos had said that Kabacan, Cotabato; Pikit, Cotabato; Butuan, Davao Occidental, and several others have also declared a state of calamity.

On Wednesday, the Metro Manila Council (MMC) declared a state of calamity in NCR amid the massive flooding caused by the southwest monsoon or Habagat and Super Typhoon Carina.

Abalos also reported that the following localities are considered hard hit areas as of 6 a.m. today:

• Abucay, Bataan
• Baliwag, Bulacan
• Obando, Bulacan
• Plaridel, Bulacan
• Pulilan, Bulacan
• Sta. Maria, Bulacan
• Cainta, Rizal
• Taytay, Rizal
• San Mateo, Rizal
• Morong, Rizal
• Rodriguez, Rizal
• Angono, Rizal
• Tingloy, Batangas

According to Abalos' presentation, hard-hit local government units were identified based on little to no access to relief goods, widespread damage suffered, high number of displacements, and lack of non-food items.

As of 5 a.m. today, Abalos also reported to the President a total of 36,319 families or 149,006 individuals have been evacuated in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Cordillera Administrative Region, and NCR.

Seventy-two roads and 16 bridges were reported as impassable in NCR, Ilocos Region, CAR, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon. Majority of closed roads were reported in NCR with 41, and closed bridges with two.

Meanwhile, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian reported that 360,000 food packs were either being deployed or picked up by LGUs.

An additional 100,000 food packs were requested by LGUs on Wednesday night.

Fatalities

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported Thursday morning that the number of fatalities due to the impact of the southwest monsoon or Habagat and Tropical Cyclones Carina and Butchoy rose to 14.

Based on NDRRMC's 8 a.m. report, eight people were confirmed dead including four in Zamboanga and one each in Northern Mindanao, Davao, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Metro Manila.

The NDRRMC was validating reports on five fatalities in Calabarzon and one in Bangsamoro.

Habagat, Carina, and Butchoy affected a total of 1,115,272 people or 245,298 families in all regions in the country except in Eastern Visayas, according to the same NDRRMC report.

Of the affected population, 51,726 people or 12,199 families were staying in evacuation centers while 578,158 individuals or 116,878 families were taking shelter in other places.

A total of 292 houses were damaged — 216 partially and 76 totally — due to inclement weather.

Damage to agriculture worth 9,706,852 and to irrigation facilities worth P6,560,000 were reported. For infrastructure, the reported damage was P793,551.

Without electricity

Also on Thursday, power distributor Manila Electric Company (Meralco) said nearly 400,000 customers still have no power in areas affected by Super Typhoon Carina and the enhanced Habagat.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, Meralco spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga said the electricity of around 324,000 customer were "deliberately disconnected due to severe flooding" in the following areas:

• Bulacan
• Valenzuela
• Mandaluyong
• Marikina
• Pasay
• Quezon City
• Rizal

Meanwhile, the number of customers still without power due to various issues such as tripped power lines or foreign objects obstructing transmission are around 68,000, according to the Meralco official.

Zaldarriaga said that Meralco would restore electricity in areas affected "once it is safe."

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and local government units reported that multiple areas in NCR remained submerged due to floods as of Thursday morning.

Habagat rains

Typhoon Carina, which is now outside of the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR), weakened further on Thursday as it crossed Taiwan but Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 remained hoisted over Batanes.

Carina became a super typhoon on Wednesday.

In its 11 a.m. tropical cyclone bulletin, state weather bureau PAGASA said Carina was less likely to directly bring heavy rainfall over the country although Habagat was expected to bring heavy rainfall over Ilocos Region, Zambales, and Benguet.

From Thursday to Saturday, Habagat may also bring moderate to heavy rainfall over various localities in the western portion of Luzon. — VDV, GMA Integrated News