One missing as Vinta leaves Philippines

Downed trees, fallen electric posts, and volunteer work crew greet Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos when she inspected the aftermath of typhoon Vinta on Friday, All Saints Day, Nov. 1, 2013. Photo courtesy of Alaric Yanos, Communication and Media Office.

MANILA, Philippines – One person was declared missing as typhoon “Vinta” (international name Krosa) left the Philippines Friday afternoon, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Friday.

Major Rey Balido identified the missing person as Loridel Baldos of Quidaoen in San Juan, Abra.

The typhoon shut down roads and knocked out power lines in Northern Luzon as it made landfall in Sta. Ana, Cagayan on Thursday afternoon.

Alvin Pura, weather forecaster, said that Vinta left the Philippine area of responsibility 1p.m. and was last observed 260 kilometers west northwest of Laoag City.

As of 9 a.m. Friday, the NDRRMC said that national road from Aparri to Tuguegarao was passable as of 9 a.m. Friday after being closed to traffic because of fallen trees.

Downed trees, fallen electric posts, and volunteer work crew greet Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos when she inspected the aftermath of typhoon Vinta on Friday, All Saints Day, Nov. 1, 2013. Photo courtesy of Alaric Yanos, Communication and Media Office.

Uprooted trees were reported in the towns of Conner, Luna, Pudtol and Sta. Marcela in Apayao province. Clearing operations were being conducted, the NDRRMC said.

In coastal towns of Cagayan and Maharlika road, clearing operations were also being conducted by the military.

Norma Talosig, director of Office of Civil Defense in Region 2, said that based on their ocular survey, a lot of trees fell down and electrical posts either tilted or fell in Cagayan province.

Weather has also started to improve in Cagayan.

The Tawi Overflow Bridge in Penablanca in Cagayan and Pinacanauan Overflow Bridge in Tuguegarao City were not passable to all types of vehicles as waters in the river swelled.

As of Thursday night, power outages were reported in some parts of northern Cagayan, province of Apayao and in Laoag, Ilocos Norte.

Mobile phone signal was also reportedly unstable in Cagayan province, the NDRRMC said.

Major Emmanuel Garcia, commander of the First Civil Relations Group based in Northern Luzon, said they had to rely on traditional radio communication to communicate to soldiers on the ground.

Over 100 families were also evacuated to safer grounds because of the storm. A total of 116 families or 491 persons were affected — 305 people in Gonzaga in Cagayan; 77 in Maconacon in Isabela and 109 in coastal areas of Sta. Teresita and Ballesteros of Cagayan.

The government has standby funds of P95 million for emergency relief resources.

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