5 fatalities, floods, landslides reported as Ofel crosses Luzon, Visayas

Five fatalities, as well as several incidents of floods and landslides, were reported in different parts of the country amid the onslaught of Tropical Depression Ofel, according to reports on Unang Balita on Thursday.

According to a report of GMA Regional TV’s Rgil Relator, three children aged 6, 9, and 10 years old drowned in a river in Pototan, Iloilo.

In Cebu City, two residents from Barangay Lorega and Barangay Buhisan drowned. The Lorega resident died inside his home amid the flooding, while the one from Buhisan reportedly crossed a spillway.

Some drainage systems and rivers also overflowed, flooding some roads and making navigation difficult for motorists.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, which releases official data on the effects of disasters, has yet to confirm if the fatalities could be directly linked to Ofel.

Meanwhile, at least 50 hectares of ricefields were submerged in flood in Cotabato. Towns affected by flooding in the province included M’lang, Makilala, and Pikit.

Some major roads in Davao del Sur were also flooded due to the heavy rains and overflowing river.

In Davao Oriental, at least eight homes were destroyed after a tornado hit a community during the onslaught of Ofel. Authorities were still conducting clearing operations on affected areas as of the time of the report.

Meanwhile in Maguindanao, the towns of Pagalungan and Datu Montawal also experienced flooding due to overflowing rivers.

According to a report by Mai Bermudez, flooding and landslides hit some parts of Catanduanes province. In San Miguel, traffic was heavy due to landslides that blocked the roads. A river and spillway also overflowed. Power and water supply were also interrupted.

In Bulan, Sorsogon, two fishing boats also capsized amid strong winds and waves. All people onboard were safe.

Another fishing boat drifted to the shore of Bulan while on its way to Samar. One of the three persons onboard the boat was reported missing.

In San Vicente, Camarines Norte, a newly constructed riprap was damaged possibly due to the softening soil amid the rainfall. Some nearby areas also experienced floods.

According to a report of GMA News stringer Jun de Roma, at least six barangays in Pakil, Laguna were hit by floods.

As some of the major roads and nearby towns were submerged in floods, motorists were challenged to pass the affected areas. A river also overflowed in the area.

Some residents also did not heed the advice of the local government to evacuate despite the flooding.

Meanwhile in Lucena, Quezon, some residents evacuated from their homes amid the onslaught of Ofel, according to a report of Vonne Aquino. The local government imposed forced evacuation especially in areas that were prone to landslides and in coastal areas.

Many families from at least 12 barangays went to schools, covered courts, and  churches for temporary shelter. Some of them already returned home.

Ofel is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Friday morning.--KBK, GMA News