Typhoon Nika topples trees, sends roofs flying in Aurora

Fierce winds and heavy rain brought by Typhoon Nika toppled trees and  sent roofs flying in the province of Aurora, according to Darlene Cay’s 24 Oras report on Monday.

Trees fell while power and communication lines toppled due to the harsh weather.

Strong winds also damaged the roof of Casiguran Central School’s covered court while chairs and tables were swept away.

The water level in some areas rose, like in Barangay Marikit, where residents has no choice but to endure thigh-deep floods.

In Dilasag town, where Nika made landfall at 8 a.m., fallen trees blocked the road.

Since it was made with light materials, the house of resident Jun Soriano was damaged, with his his remaining belongings either soaked or damaged.

“Naguguluhan nga po kung paano ko gagawin yan. Wala namang pambili ng atip, yung bubong niya yung bahay ko. Ngayon lang naman nung mga bagyo. Wala pa po, hindi na-ano itong bahay. Ngayon lang po at malakas,” Soriano said.

(I don’t know what to do. I have no money to repair the house. It was the first time that the house was damaged due to the strong winds. It was not affected by the previous storms.)

Soraino considered it fortunate that he was able to evacuate his two children so no one in his family was hurt.

Meanwhile, a tree fell on the home of Bernardo Saires. The house was also flooded. 

“Akala ko, mabagsakan ako ng kahoy. Nanghihinayang ako sa mga gamit kong nabasa na,” Saires said.

(I thought a tree would fall on me. It’s a shame my belongings all got wet.)

A large portion of Dilasag lies on the coast. Due to the strong waves and rain observed the whole day, authorities are on the lookout for a possible storm surge.

Three of the five nipa huts in the resort owned by Bonifacio Fronda Jr. were damaged due to the inclement weather.

“Biglang lumakas po ang hangin. Masakit po sa pakiramdam. Mapapatanong ka paano makakarecover ulit,” Fronda said.

(The wind suddenly strengthened. It’s disheartening. It makes you wonder how you will recover.)

A tricycle also found difficulty passing through the road as an electric post fell, blocking the way.

Jonalyn’s family had to pass through the road to reach her mother.

More than 5,000 residents of Aurora, particularly Casiguran and Dilasag, were evacuated.

Almost 70 of them are in an evacuation center in Barangay Marikit in Casiguran.

“Pinapalikas na po kami, tuwing may ganitong may sakunang bagyong parating. Yung bahay po namin, kumbaga lubog agad yung bahay namin,” Ernalyn Lisondra said.

(We are ordered to evacuate every time there is an approaching storm. Our house is easily submerged in flood water.)

According to Elson Egargue of the Aurora Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the province has enough supply of relief packs to distribute to the affected residents.

“Ang protocol po dyan, per bayan, per munisipyo mauuna po muna ang resources nila. Kapag naubos na ang kanilang resources, nandito naman ang probinsya para mag-augment at magsupport sa pangangailangan sa buong lalawigan. Kung meron kami, pinapadala na po namin,” Egargue said.

(The protocol is that every town should prioritize utilizing its resources. The province will augment their supplies and provide assistance once their stocks are depleted, If we have it, we will send it.)

Egargue said the disaster response team is continuously monitoring the situation to help affected residents.

He added that there were no reported casualties or missing persons in the province so far.
—Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News