Jolina death toll climbs to 17; Kiko exits Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — The death toll from Typhoon Jolina climbed to 17 yesterday with 24 people injured and seven still missing.

Meanwhile, the country will continue to experience rain and thunderstorms today even as Typhoon Kiko has left the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR), the state weather bureau said.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said three of the fatalities were among 16 fishermen whose boat capsized in the waters off Buenavista, Marinduque at the height of Jolina’s wrath on Wednesday.

The NDRRMC is still validating reports abouth the deaths of 14 others as search and rescue operations are ongoing for the missing people.

Jolina destroyed P628 million worth of farm produce and P57 million in infrastructure.

No death or injuries were reported from Kiko, which displaced more than 2,700 families in Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, the Cordilleras and Ilocos region.

In a bulletin issued at 5 p.m. yesterday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Kiko exited PAR at 1:10 p.m.

Kiko slightly weakened as it moved northward at 25 kilometers per hour.

It was expected to weaken further, but will remain under typhoon category in the next 24 hours as it heads toward eastern China.

All tropical cyclone wind signals earlier raised over Batanes and other areas in Northern Luzon have been lifted.

PAGASA said Kiko would continue to enhance the southwest monsoon or habagat, and would dump rain over Babuyan Islands, Batanes, the Cordilleras, the western section of Central Luzon and Ilocos region in the next 24 hours.

“Under these conditions, scattered to widespread flooding including flash floods and rain-induced landslides are possible, especially in areas that are susceptible to these hazards,” PAGASA said.

The effects of the monsoon will continue to be felt over Ilocos region and Batanes until tomorrow.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have generally fair weather, except for isolated rainshowers and thunderstorms, particularly in the afternoon or evening.

In another weather bulletin issued at 4 p.m., PAGASA said an active tropical cyclone was spotted outside PAR. – Roel Pareño, Evelyn Macairan