NDRRMC: Nearly 4M people affected by Nika, Ofel, Pepito

A total of 3,966,867 persons or 1,067,656 families were affected by the impact of tropical cyclones Nika, Ofel, and Pepito, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Friday.

Based on NDRRMC’s 8 a.m. report, the affected population were reported in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, and Cordillera.

The region with the highest number of affected residents was Bicol with 1,906,994, followed by Cagayan Valley with 809,637, and Eastern Visayas with 408,593.

Of the total affected population, 244,492 people or 67,971 families were staying in evacuation centers while 116,898 individuals or 32,764 families were taking shelter in other places.

The NDRRMC said 12 people were reported dead, 14 were reported injured, and three were reported missing due to the onslaught of the tropical cyclones.

Nika, Ofel, and Pepito caused floods and landslides in the affected areas.

Damage to infrastructure worth P2,712,898,584 and to agriculture worth P52,391,642 were reported. A total of 52,987 houses were also damaged — 43,790 partially and 9,197 totally.

Problems in power, water, and communication line services were encountered in some affected areas.

The NDRRMC also said operations in 95 seaports were suspended due to the threat of the weather disturbances. Classes in 744 areas and work schedules in 447 areas were also suspended. 

State of calamity, meanwhile, was declared in the following areas:

• Bangar, La Union
• Bautista, Pangasinan
• Quirino Province
• Santiago, Cabagan, and Tumauini in Isabela
• Baggao, Cagayan
• Aurora Province
• Mountain Province
• Aguinaldo and Asipulo in Ifugao 

Assistance worth P277,621,373 has been provided to 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.

Ofel, on the other hand, entered PAR on November 12 and made landfall over Baggao, Cagayan on November 14. Ofel on November 15 briefly exited PAR and re-entered on November 15. The tropical cyclone stopped directly affecting the country on November 16.

Meanwhile, Pepito entered PAR on November 14 and made landfall over Panganiban, Catanduanes on November 16 and another landfall over Dipaculao, Aurora on November 17. Pepito exited PAR on November 18. —KBK, GMA Integrated News