Obet exits PAR, leaves 2 dead in Cagayan

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Obet left the Philippine area of responsibility yesterday afternoon, leaving two persons dead in Cagayan.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Obet was not expected to affect weather conditions in any part of the country and may weaken tomorrow.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the tropical cyclone was estimated at 260 kilometers west of Basco, Batanes with maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 55 kph.

PAGASA said the northeast monsoon is affecting extreme Northern Luzon and would bring cloudy skies with isolated rains.

A fisherman and his wife who went fishing despite a gale warning issued by the state weather bureau were found dead on Friday, the Cagayan provincial disaster risk reduction and management council (PDRRMC) reported yesterday.

Ruelie Rapsing, PDRRMC head, said the bodies of a fisherman and his wife, who were residents of Abulug town, washed up in Sanchez Mira.

Rescuers found the fisherman’s body in Barangay Masisit while his wife was discovered in Barangay Tokitok.

Authorities said the boat used by the couple, which has yet to be recovered, could have been swept away by big waves.

Rapsing said around 200 families in Cagayan evacuated their homes during the onslaught of the tropical cyclone.

The PDRRMC recommended that the entire province of Cagayan be placed under a state of calamity due to the damage caused by previous tropical cyclones, including Obet.

Meanwhile, PAGASA said it is monitoring a low-pressure area spotted 1,525 east of Mindanao that may develop into a tropical cyclone in the next few days.