‘Butchoy’ leaves 1 dead, 2 hurt

TYPHOON “Butchoy” (international name: Nepartak) may not have made landfall in the country but it enhanced the southwest monsoon which caused casualties, most of whom were minors.

In a report, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported one person dead, one missing and two injured across the country due to the strong rain and swelling waters spawned by Butchoy last week.

The NDRRMC identified the fatality as John Michael Lunes, 14, of Karangalan Village, Cainta, Rizal, who drowned when he went swimming in a creek.

The teen’s body was retrieved on Friday morning, the same day Butchoy exited the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR).

Reported missing was 15-year-old Kyle Jaradal, of Barangay Ugong, Valenzuela City. Jaradal was last seen scavenging for recyclable materials along the Tullahan River and was believed to have drowned.

The injured were identified as Rogelio Gordo, 49, of Barangay Tayamaan, Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro, a responder for the provincial disaster risk reduction and management office,  and 11-year-old Ara Marcia of Gordon Heights, Olongapo City.

The NDRRMC reported that a total of 981 families or 3,357 persons were evacuated in Zambales, Bataan, Rizal and Batangas last week due to Butchoy.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomic Services Administration (Pagasa) warned the southwest monsoon would continue to affect the western section of Luzon.

In its 24-hour forecast issued at 5 p.m. on Monday, the weather bureau forecast monsoon rains over the Ilocos, the Cordillera Administrative Region, Zambales and Bataan.

Occasional rains are also expected over the Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon.

At 4 p.m. on Monday, a low pressure area was also monitored developing outside the PAR, at 1,190 km east of Bato, Catanduanes.  Jaymee T. Gamil