3 dead due to Basyang

MANILA, Philippines – Tropical Depression Basyang has claimed 3 lives, according to a 6 pm report released by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Saturday, February 1.

A motorized banca, M/V Ave Maria 5, capsized at the Poro Port in Cebu’s Camotes Island. Passenger Danny Tundag, 24, of Daanbantayan, Cebu, drowned on Friday, January 31. 

Jose Haji Aque Babatid, 22, died of electrocution. He was also from Cebu. 

Dionisio Paler, 66, of Maasin City, Southern Leyte also drowned. His body was retrieved near the river bank in barangay Mabini Macrohon.

As of 4 pm, state weather bureau PAGASA said that Basyang was located at 88 kms southwest of Coron, Palawan, with maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center. It is seen moving westward at 30 km/h. 

At least 10 incidents of landslides and 4 incidents of flooding were reported in Southern Leyte, among the provinces destroyed by monster typhoon Yolanda last year. The Tuburan and the Canturing rivers overflowed.

Nearly 30,000 individuals were affected by the tropical depression. Close to 20,000 were displaced.

A total of 7,464 passengers were also stranded in various ports nationwide, the Philippine Coast Guard reported. The bulk of about 3,000 are in Manila. 

As of 3 pm Saturday, a total of 45 flights were also cancelled by the Manila International Airport Authority. 

Power outages were experienced in the Visayas. Road networks were reported impassable, particularly in Eastern Visayas, due to landslides. – Rappler.com