Evacuees in Bicol rise to 47,000 due to ‘Quinta’

LEGAZPI CITY – The number of evacuees in Bicol provinces rose to 11,217 families or 47,646 persons due to the threat of Severe Tropical Storm “Quinta” (international name: Molave).

Most of the evacuees were from areas prone to landslides, flash floods, storm surge, and lahar flow (mudflow).

In Camarines Sur, at least 10,000 families or 45,000 individuals in high risk areas were evacuated in 11 towns.

Estel Estropia, information officer of Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), said the composite teams were deployed in Sagñay, Buhi, Bula, Nabua, Cabusao, Lagonoy, Calabanga, Libmanan, Tinambac, Pasacao, and Balatan for the continuous evacuation of the affected families.

Jerry Beo, disaster office head in Catanduanes said at least 71 families or 341 individuals were also evacuated in towns of Pandan, Bato, Bagamanoc, Baras, and Caramoran.

In Albay, 1,127 families or 2,230 individuals who are living in low-lying areas and prone from landslide were also evacuated in Guinobatan, Malinao, Camalig, and Manito.

Cedric Daep, chief of Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office, said they directed all barangays to implement local evacuation of all families in hazard-prone areas.

Raden Dimaano, head of PDRRMO in Sorsogon, said 19 families or 75 persons in Casiguran town with houses made of light materials were moved to the gymnasium.

Dimaano said most of them are informal settlers.

JE