Laoag City under state of calamity as ‘Ineng’ brings floods, displaces residents
MANILA, Philippines — Laoag City in Ilocos Norte has been placed under a state of calamity after severe tropical storm Ineng (International name: Bailu) brought heavy rains and displaced residents due to flooding, the city government said Saturday.
“We encourage everyone to stay at home and be safe at all times,” the city government of Laoag said.
Philippine law defines a state of calamity as “a condition involving mass casualty and/or major damages to property, disruption of means of livelihoods, roads and normal way of life of people in the affected areas” due to a disaster.
Under a state of calamity, authorities can impose price ceiling on prime commodities, as well as heighten monitoring to prevent profiteering and hoarding of key consumer items.
Authorities may also program and reprogram funds for the repair of public infrastructure, and get access to no-interest loans by government financing or lending institutions.
In its 11 a.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said “Ineng” is still on track to leave the Philippine area of responsibility Saturday afternoon and is now heading towards the southern tip of Taiwan.
READ: 'Ineng' crosses Bashi Channel, threatens southern Taiwan
Ineng packs maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 125 kph.
Cagayan, Isabela, Apayao, Kalinga, Northern Abra and Ilocos Norte are still under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal no. 1.
Signal no. 2 is still declared in Batanes and Babuyan Islands. — Ian Nicolas Cigaral
Get updates on "Ineng," the ninth tropical cyclone to enter the Philippine area of responsibility in 2019.
Weather bureau PAGASA says "Ineng" has made a landfall over Pingtung Country in southern Taiwan.
Based on its 5 p.m. weather bulletin, the eye of Severe Tropical Storm Ineng was situated at 275 kilometes north northwest of Basco, Batanes.
It continues to move in a west northwest direction at 20 kilometers per hour.
"Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal over Ilocos Norte, Apayao and Cagayan (mainland) are now lifted," PAGASA says.
"Batanes and Babuyan Islands are still warned against strong winds associated with 'INENG'. Furthermore, occasional gusty conditions will still prevail over most of Luzon due to the Southwest Monsoon," it adds.
PAGASA announces that Severe Tropical Storm Ineng is already off the southern coast of Pingtung country in Taiwan.
Based on its 2 p.m. weather bulletin, the center of "Ineng" is located at 185 kilometers northwest of Basco, Batanes.
It has maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour near the center and gust of up to 125 kph.
"Ineng," which is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Saturday afternoon, is moving west northwest at 25 kph.
The city government of Laoag, Ilocos Norte has declared a state of calamity after Severe Tropical Storm Ineng and the southwest monsoon brought heavy rains that caused massive flooding in the area.
Severe Tropical Storm Ineng has made a close approach to Batanes as it heads towards southern Taiwan, PAGASA says.
In its 11:00 a.m. weather advisory, the eye of "Ineng" was located at 140 kilometers north northwest of Basco Batanes.
It is moving west northwest at 30 kilometers per hour, with maximum sustained winds of 100 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 125 kph.
"Ineng" is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday afternoon, PAGASA adds.
PAGASA says Severe Tropical Storm Ineng has accelerated further, moving closer to Batanes area.
In its 8 a.m. severe weather bulletin, the center of "Ineng" was located at 105 kilometers north of Basco, Batanes. It is moving west northwest at 30 kilometers per hour, with maximum sustained winds of 100 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 125 kph.
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