Auring leaves 1 dead, 7,206 displaced

MANILA, Philippines - A high school student drowned while 1,541 families or around 7,206 individuals were evacuated in Central Visayas, Davao and Caraga regions due to Tropical Depression Auring.

The body of Hannah Bea Villaflores, 15, was recovered in Sitio Tungkay, Barangay Ibo in Toledo City, Cebu at around 10 a.m. yesterday.

Julius Regner, Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office spokesman, said Villaflores was trying to cross a river on her way to school with four other students when she slipped and was swept away by the strong currrent.

Regner said they would investigate why the students  had to go to school despite the suspension of classes in public schools in Cebu due to Auring.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said 9,026 passengers, 48 cargo ships, 146 other vessels and 60 motorboats were also stranded due to the weather disturbance.

 Meanwhile, initial reports showed that 7,164 hectares of agricultural lands in the Caraga region were destroyed due to Auring.

The Department of Agriculture said 1,742 hectares  were affected in Agusan del Norte; 2,000 in Butuan City; 1,942 in Surigao del Sur and 1,277 in Agusan del Sur.

Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo said they have P895.3 million in standby funds and relief supplies that can be used for disaster operations.

Taguiwalo said their relief supplies include 559,392 food packs as well as food and non-food items worth P564.9 million.

Auring weakens

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) lifted yesterday all tropical cyclone warning signals as Auring weakened into a low-pressure area (LPA).

PAGASA said Auring lost its strength after making four landfalls.

However, the weather bureau said the LPA would still bring moderate to heavy rains over the Bicol region and Samar provinces.

PAGASA said residents are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides.  Fishermen and those with small sea craft are warned against moderate to rough seas over the Bicol region and the Visayas.

The weather bureau said light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms will prevail over Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) as well as in Mindoro, Marinduque and Romblon.

Auring was the first tropical cyclone to enter the country this year. – Michael Punongbayan, Helen Flores, Ben Serrano, Rainier Allan Ronda, Kristine Quintas/Freeman News Service