‘Ruby’ affected 1,186,961 people in 7 regions; 7,998 evacuated in NCR – NDRRMC

From Western Command Armed Forces of the Philippines: Philippine Marines assisting residents of Northern Palawan during the preemptive evacuation in preparation for #RubyPH. — December 8, 2014.

MANILA -– In anticipation of the onslaught of tropical storm “Ruby” in Metro Manila, almost 8,000 people are now staying in different evacuation centers in the National Capital Region (NCR), the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Monday evening.

The NDRRMC said that 1,731 families or 7,998 individuals were preemptively evacuated to 19 evacuation centers in the cities of Manila, Marikina, Navotas, Paranaque, Muntinlupa and Malabon.

According to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather forecaster Jori Loiz, Public Storm Warning Signal No. 2 (which means winds of 61-100 kph can be expected within at least 24 hours) is still hoisted over Metro Manila.

Storm surges of one meter to two meters are expected at the Manila Bay.

Loiz pointed out that the tropical storm would be closest to the NCR between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. Monday.

If “Ruby” continues to move at its current speed of 13 kph, it may leave the Philippine Area Responsibility (PAR) by Wednesday at 7 p.m., according to the weather forecaster.

In its update, NDRRMC also said the number of fatalities remains at two in Iloilo. The agency has not reported about the fatalities in other affected areas pending data consolidation.

NDRRMC said that some 259,675 families or 1,186,961 persons were affected by “Ruby” in Regions 4-A (Calabarzon), 4-B (Mimaropa), 5 (Bicol Region, 6 (Western Visayas), 7 (Central Visayas), 8 (Eastern Visayas) and Caraga. Of these, some 226,605 families or 1,034,464 people were evacuated.

Around 1,953 passengers, 74 rolling cargoes, 429 vessels and four motor boats are still stranded in various ports of the country while 184 domestic flights and 24 international flights were also cancelled due to bad weather.

The airports in Legaspi; Marbate City; Marinduque; San Jose; Virac; Busuanga; Plaridel and Puerto Princesa are open for operations but landing and take-off are subject to prevailing aerodrome weather conditions

Power outages were reported in 17 provinces of Regions 4-A, 4-B, 5, 6 and 8, while Globe and Smart networks are currently down in some parts of Leyte and Eastern Samar.

As of this writing, power has been restored in the affected areas in Romblon and in the municipalities of San Fernando, Gainza, Camaligan, Pasacao, Pamplona and Ragay, all in Camarines Sur.

NDRRMC also said that nine roads were closed to traffic due to flooding, landslide and falling trees in Regions 5 and 8; while four road sections are not passable to light vehicles in Leyte and San Fernando, Romblon due to flooding; and eight road sections (five in Region 5 and three in Region 8) are hardly passable due to flooding, landslides, uprooted trees and toppled electric posts.

It added that Buenavista Bridge in Barangay Lilukin, Buenavista, Quezon province is not passable due to the high level of water while four areas in Quezon province namely Pagbilao, Pitogo, Barangay Almacen in Unisan and Panaon also in Unisan were flooded.

The total cost of government assistance for the affected families in Regions 5, 6, 7 and Caraga has reached Php 60,718,256.50.

Meanwhile, the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes have declared a state of calamity.