The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that a resident in Palawan was killed in the wake of tropical storm “Auring” (Sonamu), which exited the Philippine area of responsibility on Friday.
The NDRRMC identified the fatality as Pedro Francisco, 35, of Barangay Iraan in Rizal town in Palawan.
It said Francisco was killed after being hit by an uprooted coconut tree.
Several roads and bridges were also impassable, including Malatgao Section, Bataraza (Palawan) due to floodwaters; Kalikan, Pinan Bridge (Region IX) due to high water level; and Katipunan National Highway, Mia Sans Dicayo Bridge, Piao and Tangian Bridge (Region XI) due to high water level
Power outages were reported in Puerto Princesa City, Aborlan, Brookes Point and Quezon in Palawan.
At least 100 families or 500 people were evactuated to safer grounds in Quezon, Bukidnon to a local basketball court.
At least 12 bancas in Palawan were destroyed by big waves brought by Auring.
Some houses in Rizal town were also destroyed by a whirlwind, the NDRRMC added.
Tropical storm Auring was the first cyclone to enter the Philippine area of responsibility in 2013.
Meanwhile, State forecasters detected a new potential cyclone — a low pressure area (LPA) — moving closer to Mindanao and said it may bring rain showers and thunderstorms over Eastern Visayas and Mindanao.
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the LPA was estimated at 1,110 kilometers (km) east of Mindanao as of yesterday.
“An LPA embedded in an intet-tropical convergence zone was tracked and it will enter the Philippine area of responsibility today,” Pagasa forecaster Gener Quitlong told radio station dzBB.
Meanwhile, Weather Central wind maps have not shown any indication of an LPA formation. The Japan Meteorological Agency has not mentioned any LPA in its 2 a.m. update as well.
“Eastern Visayas and Mindanao will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms. Cagayan Valley will experience cloudy skies with light rain. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy with brief rainshowers or thunderstorms,” it said.
A huge area of Mindanao should also expect heavy rain Sunday afternoon until Monday due to the reported LPA.
On the other hand, Pagasa said the northeast monsoon is affecting Northern Luzon.
Earlier, Pagasa forecasters said the LPA has weak chances of becoming a cyclone, but are still not discounting the possibility.
Should the LPA intensify into a cyclone while inside the Philippine area of responsibility, it will be locally codenamed “Bising.”
Pagasa also said moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail throughout the archipelago and the coastal waters will be moderate to rough.
Meanwhile, it said, strong to gale-force winds associated with the northeast monsoon may affect the seaboards of northern and Central Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Southern Luzon and Eastern Visayas.
“Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves,” Pagasa said. With Jason Faustino