Tropical storm causes floods, knocks out power in northern Philippine towns

Location of eye/center: At 10:00 AM today, the center of Severe Tropical Storm “Egay” was estimated based on Aparri Doppler radar and all available data in the vicinity of Mt. Cagagangan, Cagayan (18.2°N, 121.9°E).

According to Castro, nearly all major roads in La Union are not passable, stranding thousands of people. The storm was named Egay in the Philippines.

“We advise the public to stay calm and alert, and to keep updated on weather advisories by tuning in to government websites and media”, Lacierda said.

He called on emergency rescuers in the adjacent province of Pangasinan for help. Sto Rosario, Balaoan and Bangar were all heavily flooded, with some houses disappearing under the rising flood waters. The Baguio-Bontoc national road in Mountain Province was also still open.

No injuries were reported from Egay’s incursion, except for a carabao that drowned and was recovered in San Mariano town in Isabela.

“[Aquino] and the full force of the Cabinet continue to track the developments through the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to ensure the safety and welfare of those affected by the storm”.

As of Sunday night, Egay had left 1,027 people stranded in major ports in Central Visayas and Luzon.

He said electricity and communication lines were down.

“All government agencies have prepositioned equipment, relief goods and resources”.

The storm was last located 260 kilometers northwest of Laoag City in Ilocos Norte or 280 kilometers west of Basco, Batanes.

The storm weakened after crossing the region on Sunday but at least 17 areas were placed under storm warning signals, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Fisher folks and small sea vessels are advised against venturing into the seaboards of Luzon as “Egay” continues to trigger strong waves.

The entire province lost power as the storm lashed, he said.

Linfa, packing maximum sustained winds of about 90km/h, was yesterday forecast to move northwest at 10km/h over northern Luzon in the Philippines.

It said a “yellow” rainfall warning was issued in Metro Manila (Muntinlupa, Las Pinas, Parañaque, Taguig, Makati, Manila), and the provinces of Cavite and Batangas at 11 a.m. Sunday.