70,000 Bicol folk evacuated as Typhoon Tisoy looms

LEGAZPI CITY – Over 17,000 families or 70,000 individuals in the Bicol region were moved to safer ground ahead of the expected heavy rainfall spawned by Typhoon Tisoy  (international name: Kammuri)  on Monday or Tuesday.

Families in Legazpi City coastal areas seek temporary shelter at the Legazpi Port Elementary School, as Typhoon Tisoy is expected to batter the Bicol region. (INQUIRER PHOTO/MARK ALVIC ESPLANA / INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON)

Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Bicol regional director Claudio Yucot said the number of evacuees is expected to increase as evacuation will be carried out until Monday afternoon.

Yucot said most of the evacuees are residents of low-lying and mountainous areas at risk for flooding, mudflows and landslides in the six provinces of Bicol.

In Albay, the PDRRMC earlier reported that 25,770 families or 106,211 individuals living in lahar flow –  prone areas around Mayon Volcano have been evacuated.

Cedric Daep, Albay Public Safety Emergency and Management Office (APSEMO) chief, said the displaced residents are under threat from floods, landslides, storm surge and strong winds.

The St. Dominic de Guzman Church in Sto. Domingo, Albay serves as temporary shelter for residents of high-risk areas as Typhoon Tisoy closes in on the Bicol region. (MARK ALVIC ESPLANA / INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON)

Meantime, the Philippine Coast Guard reported that as of 8 p.m. Sunday,  2,462 passengers are stranded in various Bicol ports, along with  494 trucks and buses, and 12 cars.

Some 34 flights have also been canceled in various airports.

GSG