ENTENG'S WRATH. A portion of General Luna Avenue in San Mateo, Rizal is impassable due to floods from a heavy downpour caused by Tropical Storm Enteng and the enhanced southwest monsoon on Monday (Sept. 2, 2024). The NDRRMC reported Tuesday (Sept. 3, 2024) that deaths from the impact of these weather disturbances have climbed to 10. (Photo courtesy of San Mateo Department of Public Order and Safety)
MANILA – The death toll from bad weather due to Tropical Storm Enteng and the enhanced southwest monsoon or “habagat” has climbed to 10, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Tuesday.
This is a sharp rise from the two reported deaths on Monday, according to the disaster response body's latest situation report.
The NDRRMC said seven of the 10 fatalities were from Calabarzon, two from Central Visayas, and one from Western Visayas.
Meanwhile, 10 persons were injured in Central Visayas.
The council said these casualty reports were still undergoing validation.
The weather disturbances have affected 37,867 families or 147,024 individuals in 338 barangays in Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and the National Capital Region.
Of the figure, 8,866 families or 38,058 persons are being assisted in 218 evacuation centers while 411 families or 1,756 individuals are being assisted outside these centers.
At least 17 houses were reported damaged in Bicol, Western Visayas, and Central Visayas.
No severe damage to courts
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court said initial damage reports on court offices affected by Tropical Storm Enteng suggest no significant impact on operations of the judiciary.
“As of today (Tuesday), the OCA (Office of the Court Administrator) has yet to receive reports of severe damages caused by Typhoon Enteng,” court spokesperson Camille Ting said in a message to reporters.
“There have been reports of flooding in some courtrooms and halls of justice, but as assessed by the concerned Executive and Presiding Judges, there is no cause for alarm,” she added.
The SC has earlier suspended work in all courts and offices in the National Capiral Region and Calabarzon.
In separate posts on X (formerly Twitter), the SC said court operations were also suspended in Santiago City, Isabela; the whole province of La Union; and the province of Bataan.
35 evacuate in Pangasinan
In Pangasinan province, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head Vincent Chu said 35 individuals from Balungao town have evacuated while there are no reports of casualties or injuries as of 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Classes in all levels are suspended.
“We are experiencing light to moderate rainfall in the different parts of the province. There were also heavy rainfalls but these do not last long,” he said in an interview.
Most of the main river systems in the province are still below or at normal levels except for Marusay and Balincaguing Rivers, which have reached above-normal levels of 5.3 feet and 4.2 feet but still far from the 7-ft critical level.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s six warehouses in Pangasinan have 6,000 family food packs while the Ilocos field office has 81,723. (With a report from Benjamin Pulta and Hilda Austria/PNA)
