20 reported dead, 14 missing due to Habagat, Ferdie, Gener —NDRRMC

Twenty people were reported dead and 14 others were missing due to the impact of the Southwest Monsoon, or Habagat as well as Tropical Cyclones Ferdie and Gener, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Wednesday.

In its 8 a.m. bulletin, the NDRRMC said nine fatalities were reported in Mimaropa, four each in Western Visayas and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, two in Zamboanga Peninsula, and one in Central Visayas.

The reported deaths are still up for validation, according to the NDRRMC.

Eleven people were also injured during the onslaught of Habagat, Ferdie, and Gener.

A total of 597,870 people or 156,524 families were affected by the inclement weather in Cagayan Valley, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, Caraga, Bangsamoro, and Cordillera.

Most of the affected people were reported in Western Visayas with 256,593 individuals or 73,512 families.

Of the total affected population, 62,995 people or 16,926 families were staying in evacuation centers while 34,265 people or 8,592 families were taking shelter in other places.

Habagat, Ferdie, and Gener damaged 930 houses — 789 partially and 141 totally. Damage to infrastructure was so far pegged at P2,401,500.

The NDRRMC also said power outages and communication line problems were encountered in some parts of affected areas.

Eight domestic flights as well as 39 sea trips remained suspended. In affected seaports, a total of 1,609 passengers, 58 rolling cargoes, 25 vessels, and seven motorbancas were stranded.

Classes in 592 areas and work schedules in 82 areas were suspended due to the threat of the bad weather.

Assistance worth P15,574,471 has been provided to the victims so far, according to the NDRRMC.

Ferdie entered the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on September 13 and exited the following day. Meanwhile, Gener on September 16 developed into a tropical cyclone from a low pressure area and exited PAR on Wednesday.

These weather disturbances brought up to intense rains in the country, the NDRRMC said.

Even though Gener is already out of PAR, it — together with new cyclone Helen, a tropical storm — continues to enhance Habagat, resulting in monsoon rains in many parts of the country.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Helen was spotted 1,060 kms east northeast of extreme northern Luzon packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kph and gustiness of up to 105 kph, and moving northwestward at 25 kph.

According to PAGASA, Helen is seen to move generally west northwestward for the entire forecast period and may exit PAR on Wednesday afternoon or evening.

"Throughout the forecast period, Helen will remain far from the Philippine landmass and will not directly affect any part of the country," PAGASA said.

Enhanced by tropical cyclones Helen and the former Gener, Habagat will bring poor weather conditions in the following areas in the next 24 hours:

Heavy to intense rains

• Palawan
• Occidental Mindoro
• Zambales
• Bataan

Moderate to heavy rains

• Metro Manila
• Pangasinan
• Batangas
• Cavite
• the rest of MIMAROPA

PAGASA said "forecast rainfall are generally higher in elevated or mountainous areas." —KBK, GMA Integrated News