2 dead as Quiel hits Cagayan, Apayao

TUGUEGARAO, Philippines — Two persons died while another was injured as Tropical Depression Quiel hit northern Cagayan and Apayao in the past two days.

Augusto Antiagan, 39, was buried alive in a landslide that hit his house in Barangay Magdalena, Claveria town yesterday morning.

Antiagan’s daughter Ashley, 13, was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries she suffered after the wall of their house collapsed, according to Sgt. Ryan Bascos of the local police.

On Wednesday, 10-year-old Eljay Gallego drowned in floodwaters in Barangay Bacsay Mapula-pula.

In Sanchez Mira town, at least 30 families fled to higher ground as heavy rains have been pounding their houses in Barangay Degueray since Wednesday.

Landslides and flashfloods have caused suspension of classes in Sta. Praxedes, Sanchez Mira, Abulug, Ballesteros, Allacapan, Lasam and Claveria.

Meanwhile, Apayao Gov. Eleanor Bulut-Begtang ordered the suspension of classes in all levels since Wednesday as floodwaters submerged parts of Luna, Kabugao and Calanasan towns.

More rains

Quiel will still bring rains over parts of Luzon and the Visayas until today as it continues to move slowly over the West Philippine Sea.

Bataan, Batangas, Cagayan Valley, Cavite, the Cordilleras, Ilocos region, Mindoro, Palawan, Western Visayas and Zambales will have scattered to widespread rainshowers and thunderstorms.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reiterated its warning against possible flash floods or landslides due to heavy rains during severe thunderstorms.

As of 3 p.m. yesterday, the center of Quiel was spotted at 375 kilometers west northwest of Coron, Palawan.

It remained almost stationary as of 5 p.m. yesterday.

Quiel packed winds of 110 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 135 kph.

It was forecast to intensify into a typhoon within the next 24 hours.

The weather system was forecast to move westward tonight toward Central Vietnam.

PAGASA also warned of very rough seas over the northern and western seaboards of Luzon due to the combined effects of Quiel and the northeast monsoon.