Nika, Ofel cause P320M in infra damage, 300K people affected

A total of 309,518 people or 85,415 families in some Luzon regions were affected by tropical cyclones Nika and Ofel, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Thursday.

In its 8 a.m. report, the NDRRMC said these affected individuals were reported in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Bicol, and Cordillera Administrative Region.

Of the total affected population, 26,923 people or 8,676 families were staying in evacuation centers while 19,572 people or 5,653 families were taking shelter in other places.

At least two people were reported injured in Central Luzon amid the onslaught of Nika and Ofel, according to the NDRRMC.

Damage to infrastructure worth P320,658,974 was reported in Central Luzon. 

A total of 2,394 houses were also damaged—2,158 partially and 236 totally. Most of them were reported in Cagayan Valley with 1,921 damaged houses.

A total of 153 road sections and 91 bridges were affected as floods hit some areas. Twenty-one seaports suspended their operations due to the threat of Nika and Ofel.

Power outages were also reported in some affected areas.

Classes in 579 areas and work schedules in 178 areas were suspended.

A state of calamity was declared in Dilasag, Aurora.

Assistance worth P10,646,973 has been provided to the victims so far, according to the NDRRMC.

Nika on November 11 made landfall in the vicinity of Dilasag, Aurora and traversed Northern Luzon. It exited the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on November 12.

Meanwhile, Ofel intensified into a super typhoon early Thursday.

It was last located 165 kilometers east southeast of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan moving northwestward at 15 kilometers per hour (kph). It was packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph.

LIVE BLOG: Updates on Super Typhoon Ofel

The super typhoon may make landfall over Cagayan or northern Isabela on Thursday afternoon, according to PAGASA.

—VAL, GMA Integrated News