Woman drowns in storm-hit Zamboanga del Norte

MANILA, Philippines—A woman drowned when storm-spawned floodwaters hit Zamboanga del Norte, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Friday.

In its situation report, the NDRRMC identified the victim as a certain Mrs. Damuag, 60, of Barangay Labrador, Polanco, Zamboanga del Norte.

Damuag drowned due to the flooding triggered by tropical storm Sendong, which affected about 100 people in Polanco town, it said.

The victims were temporarily evacuated to higher grounds, the NDRRMC said.

Meanwhile, the villages of Turno and Dicayas in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte also experienced flooding, the NDRRMC said.

In Turno, about 60 families of 300 persons were brought to Turno Elementary School. Residents of Dicayas village opted to stay in their homes despite the flood. But village officials were advised to implement forced evacuation if necessary, the state-run disaster council said.

In its latest weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the Sendong slightly intensified and was seen 180 kilometers east southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.

The tropical storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 90 kph. Sendong was forecast to move westward at 26 kph.