The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) yesterday disclosed that some 22,714 people and about P2.28 million worth of properties were affected by tropical storm “Dindo” (Doksuri).
Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has announced that the low pressure area (LPA) forming in the Pacific Ocean may develop into a tropical cyclone which can affect the Philippines next week. Once it enters the country’s area of responsibilityas a tropical storm, the LPA will be named “Enteng.”
In its 6 a.m. report yesterday, the NDRRMC disclosed that Ilocos and Bukidnon were the provinces where “Dindo” wreaked havoc on infrastructure and property before leaving Philippine territory.
Initial figures cited by the NDRRMC said 4,836 families or 22,714 people were affected, including 4,291 families or 20,114 people in Ilocos Norte; 280 families or 1,275 people in La Union; and 265 families or 1,325 people in Bukidnon.
Damage to infrastructure in Ilocos Norte alone was estimated at P2.28 million.
At least 10 roads and bridges were impassable to traffic. These included five in Ilocos, one in Cagayan Valley, and four in Cordillera.
“(Enteng hitting Philippines next week is) a big possibility,” said Pagasa administrator Dr. Nathaniel Servando, citing latest available forecasting models.
Servando said the country’s prevailing southwest monsoon helped raise the possibility of the LPA hitting the country.
“That LPA can develop into either a tropical depression or tropical storm before entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR),” he said.
Servando said the LPA was located about 1,500 kilometers east of Mindanao.
Pagasa has been monitoring the LPA that may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility either on Sunday or Monday, he said.
Servando said latest available forecast models indicated such a weather disturbance would unlikely hit land.
“Enteng” may yet be the fifth tropical cyclone to enter the Philippine area of responsibility this year after storm “Dindo,” he said.   With PNA