Over 4,000 individuals evacuated in Masbate due to Tropical Storm Jolina

Flood in Masbate. Photo courtesy of Leo Gozum

LEGAZPI CITY — Some 932 families or 4,393 persons were evacuated in Masbate province on Tuesday after Governor Antonio Kho ordered evacuations due to strong winds and heavy rains brought by Severe Tropical Storm “Jolina” (International name: Conson).

Adonis Dilao, officer-in-charge of Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said as of 3 p.m., 620 families or 3,152 individuals were housed in evacuation centers while 312 families or 1,241individuals were sheltered in private houses. These residents were from villages prone to flooding, storm surge and other hazards in coastal villages.

At least 44 houses were partially damaged in various towns, while some barangay roads were rendered impassable due to flooding in the towns of Cataingan, Mobo and Uson.

Electricity was cut in the entire province since Monday night.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) earlier said that Jolina made its fifth landfall over Dimasalang town at around 10 a.m.
In its 5 p.m. weather bulletin, Pagasa said Jolina has weakened while moving over the Sibuyan Sea.

It was located 60 kilometers West Northwest of Masbate City, Masbate, or 90 km East of Romblon, Romblon with maximum sustained winds of 100 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 125 kph.

Flood in Masbate. Photo courtesy of Leo Gozum

Pagasa said Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 was hoisted over Sorsogon, the western portion of Albay (Polangui, Oas, City of Ligao, Guinobatan, Camalig, Daraga, Legazpi City, Manito, Jovellar, Pio Duran, Libon), Masbate including Ticao and Burias Islands, the western and southern portion of Camarines Sur (Bato, Nabua, Balatan, Iriga City, Baao, Bula, Ocampo, Pili, Naga City, Canaman, Pamplona, Milaor, Gainza, Camaligan, San Fernando, Minalabac, Pasacao, Libmanan, Magarao, Cabusao, Bombon, Sipocot, Lupi, Ragay, Del Gallego), and the western portion of Camarines Norte (Paracale, Jose Panganiban, Capalonga, Santa Elena, Labo, San Vicente, San Lorenzo Ruiz).

Signal no. 1 was raised over the rest of Camarines Norte, the rest of Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and the rest of Albay.