‘Pablo’ pummels Visayas

MANILA, Philippines – “Whoa. The frontage of Ever Mall is coming down like peeled onion skin,” Silliman University teacher Ian Casocot posted on Twitter as Supertyphoon “Pablo” (international name: Bopha) moved towards Negros Oriental and other parts of Visayas Tuesday, December 4.

On Tuesday night, Pablo plunged Dumaguete in darkness amid strong, relentless rain in the city, which left an 11 year-old boy dead.

“Just 9:15 pm, and already it seems like we’ve been stuck in this blackhole for ages,” Casocot posted on Twitter.

Silliman University opened its grandstand to about 50 families who evacuated from flood-prone barangays, according to Dr Cecilia Genove, Dean of the College of Mass Communication.

Meanwhile, more than 6,000 athletes participating in the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) games were stranded in Dumaguete after the event was suspended in the wake of the typhoon.

About 440 young athletes staying in vulnerable areas in Barangay Batinguel evacuated to the Lamberto Macias Sports and Cultural Complex, according to the Philippine Information Agency-Central Visayas (PIA-CV)

Siquijor

In the island province of Siquijor, a boat sank off Sabang, leaving 6 crew members and captain missing, PIA-CV reported.

One was confirmed dead and two were injured in Siquijor in the aftermath of Typhoon Pablo, according to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).

Cebu

In Cebu, the Philippine Airlines & Airphil Express cancelled 37 flights while Cebu Pacific cancelled 86 domestic flights.

Gov Gwen Garcia declared a two-day province-wide suspension of classes in all schools starting Wednesday, December 5.

Bohol

Power is being restored in at least 7 barangays in Loay, Bohol, according to PIA-CV.

PIA-CV also reported that 9 families living in the coastal barangay of Looc were evacuated to the barangay hall due to rising sea level. Another group of 5 families in Villalimpia Loay, near the low areas of Tambangan, have been evacuated, PIA-CV added.

St Bernard

The town of St Bernard in Leyte did not experience floods and landslides but it is not letting down its guard, according to Mayor Rico Rentuza.

Local authorities evacuated 884 families or more than 3,900 individuals from 15 barangays, according to Mitzi Ocba, disaster officer of St Bernard.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that “Pablo” has forced more than 50,000 residents to flee their homes and seek refuge in safer areas. – Rappler.com