Gov’t checking first possible Typhoon Karen fatality in CamSur

Government authorities are verifying if the person who "possibly drowned" in Camarines Sur was the first fatality from Typhoon Karen.

Social Welfare and Development Secretary Judy Taguiwalo was quoted by DZBB as saying in a media briefing that the possible fatality was from Bato, a third class municipality in the province.

"It might be typhoon-related, but still needs to be validated," radio DZBB quoted Taguiwalo as saying.

Taguiwalo: One casualty from Bato, Camarines Sur died from possible drowning. It might be typhoon-related, but still need to be validated.

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) October 16, 2016

"Earlier reported casualties are still for validation and verification of the DILG and DOH," she said during the briefing.

Officially, however, the government has yet to record a fatality from Karen, which made landfall in Auroa early Sunday and was on its way out of the Luzon landmass via Pangasinan as of noon.

Taguiwalo said that in its latest report, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has reported 1,884 families or 9,680 persons affected by Karen from the regions of Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Bicol.

She said five road sections in Ifugao, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Albay are not passable due to minor landslides and rock falls. The Department of Public Works and Highways is already conducting clearing operations in these areas, she added.

Taguiwalo said P1.2 billion in standby funds are available for repositioning for areas in need of assistance due to the typhoon. Quick reaction teams have also been activated in the Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon regions, and the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Rapid emergency telecommunication teams in Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Bicol, and CAR are on standby to support communication lines in affected areas.

Medical teams are also on standby for possible deployment, Taguiwalo said, even as she acknowledged the assistance being offered by foreign aid agencies like the United Nations Population Fund and the United Nations Children's Fund. —Mark Merueñas/ALG, GMA News