Manila — At least 10 people were killed yesterday when a tropical storm triggered landslides and huge floods in the eastern Philippines, a regional civil defence official said.
Seven fatalities were from Albay province, 360 kilometres south-east of Manila, which was battered by Tropical Storm Nock-Ten’s heavy rains and strong winds overnight, according to Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro.
Alejandro, regional chief of the Office of Civil Defence, said two more fatalities were reported in nearby Catanduanes Province and one in Camarines Sur Province.
Albay Governor Joey Salceda said most of the province was under water and more than 500,000 fled their homes due to floods and landslides.
“All the towns in the province are under water,” he said. “Many roads are impassable due to landslides and floods, so our rescue units are finding it hard to reach badly affected areas.”
“Some residents whose houses were not affected by floods took in their less fortunate neighbours,” he added.
Aviation authorities said more than 30 domestic flights were cancelled due to the bad weather. Hundreds of passengers were stranded in various sea ports in the eastern provinces after the coast guard prevented vessels from sailing.
The Office of Civil Defence said at least six fishermen went missing after their boats were pummelled by huge waves in the provinces of Catanduanes, Camarines Sur and Albay.
Authorities say the dead in the Bicol region include at least three children in a landslide in a mountain village. Officials in nearby Albay province say at least 14 fishermen earlier reported as missing at sea managed to swim ashore on a small island.
Albay Governor Joey Salceda said a massive evacuation was ordered Monday night, when strong winds and torrential rains from tropical storm Nock-Ten began pounding his province. Some flights and ferries were cancelled.
Authorities warn residents on the nearby and heavily populated island of Luzon to brace for heavy rains Wednesday as the storm intensifies.
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