‘Quinta’ damage estimated at P2.7B; LGUs warned vs incoming storm

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council advised local government units to stand guard as Tropical Storm “Rolly” approaches and may cause further damage after previous storms.

This, as estimates of damage left by typhoon “Quinta”reached P2.77 billion.

“Expected pa din po that there will be damage,” NDRRMC spokesman Mark Timbal said, when asked for updates on the pre-disaster risk assessment (PDRA) meeting held Wednesday.

At the meeting, it was recommended that LGUs maintain preparedness, and give attention to areas prone to floods, landslides, lahar, and storm surges, he said.

“Rains [to be brought by Rolly] increase the likelihood of floods and landslides in susceptible areas,” Timbal said.

A report from the NDRRMC showed that at least 16 persons died, mostly due to drowning, at the height of Quinta.

Timbal said farmers were again advised to harvest crops early but noted that damage to crops may not be as big this time as many had been saved ahead of Quinta and other weather disturbances that came before.

Quinta left more than P2.72 billion worth of damage in Bicol, MIMAROPA, and Calabarzon alone, mostly to crops and fisheries, according to reports from the regional Office of Civil Defense units.

Some P47.9 million worth of damage, also mostly to agriculture, was recorded in the Ilocos region, Central Luzon, and Western Visayas, according to a report from the NDRRMC.

State weather agency PAGASA reported that the tropical depression outside the country has intensified into a severe tropical storm.

The storm will be called “Rolly” when it enters the eastern boundary of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) Thursday afternoon or evening.

It was spotted 1,505 kilometers east of Central Luzon around 3 p.m., bearing maximum sustained winds of 110kph near the center and gusts of up to 135kph.

The storm was moving west at a speed of 15kph and is forecast to move towards the Quezon-Aurora area.

Meanwhile, PAGASA said it was monitoring another tropical depression that may develop into a tropical storm, some 2,435 kilometers east of Mindanao.

The tropical depression, which currently has 55kph winds and gusts of 70kph, is expected to enter the PAR on Monday.