The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported on Wednesday that the death toll from Tropical Storm “Enteng” has increased to 15, with 21 individuals still missing, and almost half a million individuals displaced in its wake.
As “Enteng” moved away from the country, President Ferdinand Marcos directed concerned agencies to prepare for possible flooding due to the release of water from dams which have filled up because of heavy rains from the southwest monsoon.
During a situation briefing at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) headquarters in Quezon City, President Marcos emphasized the need for constant updates on the status of the water level of dams and flood conditions.
OCD Operations Service Director Cesar Idio reported that the fatalities include 8 in Rizal, 2 each in Cebu City, Northern Samar, and Naga City, and 1 in Negros Occidental. The majority of these deaths were attributed to drowning and landslides.
The missing persons include 2 from a flash flood in Northern Samar, 3 from Samar, 1 from Biliran, and 15 fishermen from Camarines Norte. Idio also reported that 15 individuals have been injured in Cebu City, Naga City, and Northern Samar. There have also been 14 landslide incidents.
The Department of Agriculture has reported damages and losses to agriculture amounting to P351 million, impacting 13,623 farmers. The storm has caused a production loss of 14,814 metric tons and affected 8,893 hectares of agricultural land, including rice, corn, and high-value crops.
Naga City in Region 5 has now declared a state of calamity due to the onslaught of Typhoon Enteng and Habagat, according to OCD. Region 5 logged 181, 506 affected individuals equivalent to 44,013 families. 1,009 of those families stayed inside evacuation centers.
Region 3 has now the highest number of affected individuals with 288,110, equivalent to 86,765 persons.
‘Enteng’ slightly intensified while leaving the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Wednesday morning, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.
In its final tropical cyclone bulletin, PAGASA said ‘Enteng’ will move generally westward until Thursday, then turn west-northwestward for the remainder of the forecast.
The eye of the storm was last monitored based on all available data at 265 kilometers west northwest of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte already outside of PAR.
“Enteng” is forecast to intensify throughout the forecast period and may become a typhoon within the next 12 hours. The tropical cyclone may also reach its peak intensity by Friday (6 September) prior to making landfall in mainland China,” PAGASA said in its advisory.
Despite its exit, ‘Enteng’ will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon or ‘habagat,’ which is bringing moderate to intense rainfall in Luzon, especially along the western portions over the next three days.
PAGASA announced that as of 8 a.m. Wednesday, the Ipo Dam in Bulacan has opened a washout gate due to rising water levels, affecting municipalities like Norzagaray, Angat, and Bustos.
PAGASA said that despite lower levels at Magat Dam, flood precautions are in place as nearby watersheds may raise levels in the next 24 hours, impacting Isabela communities such as Ramon and San Mateo.
La Mesa Dam in Quezon City has already exceeded its overflow level of 80.15 meters, reaching 80.20 meters as of 8 a.m. Water from the dam is expected to affect areas along the Tullahan River in Quezon City, Valenzuela City, and Malabon City.
