‘Karding’ infra damage reaches P304M – NDRRMC

by Martin Sadongdong, Manila Bulletin

Super Typhoon “Karding” has dealt P304 million worth of damage to infrastructure as the extent of its destruction becomes clearer nearly a week after it left the country.

Brgy. Salangan in San Miguel, Bulacan still submerged in flood on Sept. 26, 2022 after the onslaught of Super Typhoon Karding. (MARK BALMORES / MANILA BULLETN)

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Sunday, Oct. 2, that the estimated cost of damage to infrastructure by Karding, which left the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) last Sept. 26, already reached P304,245, 310.

There were 43 infrastructure projects that were damaged or destroyed by Karding in five affected regions namely Ilocos Region (1), Cagayan Valley (Region 2), Mimaropa (Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan or Region 4B), Bicol Region (5), and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

Twenty-seven of the damaged infrastructure projects were found in Cagayan Valley which cost P280 million. CAR has eight damaged infrastructure projects, Ilocos Region has six, and one each in Mimaropa and Bicol Region.

There were also 58,172 houses that were damaged by the typhoon in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon (Region 3), Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon or Region 4A), and CAR. More than 51,000 houses in the affected areas were partially damaged while around 7,000 where completely destroyed.

Meanwhile, agricultural loss was pegged at P3.053 billion in six regions – Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol, and CAR. A total of 104,500 farmers and fisherfolk were affected by the typhoon while production loss was recorded at 159,867.35 metric tons.

The number of affected Filipinos due to Karding also grew to 1,072,282 or 299,172 families.

As of Sunday, there were 3,098 individuals or 821 families who have yet to return to their homes. They were temporarily staying in 26 evacuation centers.

The death toll related to Karding stood at 12, five others were still missing, and 52 individuals were injured.

The NDRRMC also said that a total of P57.89 million worth of relief assistance was provided for the typhoon victims in the affected regions.

The assistance came in the form of family food packs worth P16.57 million; financial aid worth P10.96 million; and non-food items worth P536,294.34. Some P29.6 million was also spent by the member-agencies of the NDRRMC to help the typhoon victims but they were not itemized and listed only as “for verification.”

Statement by VP Sara

 

Classes in NCR called off

By Kristina Maralit, Kaithreen Cruz, Bernadette E. Tamayo, Jomar Canlas and Aric John Sy Cua

PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Sunday approved the suspension of work and classes in several regions affected by Super Typhoon "Karding."

"The President has approved the recommendation of the NDRRMC for the suspension of work and classes due to Typhoon Karding," Press Secretary Rose Beatrix "Trixie" Cruz-Angeles said in a text message to reporters.

Marcos is also "in constant communication" with Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos for possible evacuations, especially in low-lying areas that are prone to flooding, the official added.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council recommended to the Chief Executive the suspension of work in government offices in Metro Manila, Region 1 (Ilocos), Region 2 (Cagayan Valley), Region 5 (Bicol), Cordillera Administrative Region, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), and Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan).

"The recommended suspension will prevent any untoward incidents and will ensure the safety of the general public," the agency said.

Ahead of the President's move, several cities in Metro Manila called off classes for today, September 26, because of Karding (international name: "Noru").

Storm Signal No. 4 was raised in some areas in Metro Manila on Sunday as Karding was forecast to cut across Central Luzon.

The governments of Manila, Pasig and Quezon Cities announced the suspension of classes.

Court operations in Regions 3-5, NCR suspended

The Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City and the Lyceum of the Philippines University in Manila also suspended classes in all levels for today.

The Supreme Court suspended court operations in Regions 3 to 5 and the National Capital Region because of Karding.

Acting Chief Justice Marvic Mario Victor Leonen wrote on Twitter that judges and justices in the other regions can decide whether to call off court proceedings.

Covered by the directive are Region 3 (Central Luzon), Regions 4 and 5 (Southern Luzon), and the National Capital Judicial Region.

Marcos suspends work, classes in several regions

The Senate will not hold session today because of the typhoon.

Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri issued the suspension of work order on Sunday through Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr.

He said the Senate will resume session on Tuesday.

Signal No. 2 raised in portions of eastern Luzon as ‘Karding’ intensifies into severe tropical storm

by Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz, Manila Bulletin

(PAGASA)

Tropical cyclone Karding (international name: Noru) intensified into a severe tropical storm, with Wind Signal No. 2 now raised over portions of eastern Luzon before Saturday noon, Sept. 24.

Karding further strengthened over the Philippine Sea, packing maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 125 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 11 a.m. bulletin.

It has maximum sustained winds of 90 kph and gustiness of up to 105 kph, previously.

“This tropical cyclone is forecast to intensify into a typhoon prior to landfall over Central or Northern Luzon,” PAGASA said.

Signal No. 2 was hoisted in the southeastern portion of Isabela (Dinapigue), the northern portion of Aurora (Dinalungan, Casiguran, Dilasag), and Polillo Islands.

Signal No. 1 was raised in the southern portion of Cagayan, the rest of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, the southern portion of Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, the southern portion of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, the rest of Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Bulacan, Pampanga, Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, the northern and central portions of Quezon, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, the northern portion of Batangas, Camarines Norte, northern and eastern portions of Camarines Sur, and the northern portion of Catanduanes.

“Winds may reach gale-force in strength in any of the areas where Wind Signal No. 2 is hoisted throughout the passage of Karding. Strong winds—strong breeze to near gale strength—will be experienced within any of the areas where Wind Signal No. 1 is currently in effect,” PAGASA said.

“Per latest track and intensity forecast, the most likely highest wind signal that will be hoisted is Wind Signal No. 4,” it added.

Landfall seen in Isabela-Aurora area on Sunday

Karding was last seen 660 kilometers (km) east-southeast of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, or 595 km east of Casiguran, Aurora, and was moving west-southwestward at 25 kph.

Karding is projected to move west-southwestward or westward while gradually accelerating toward the east coast of Isabela or Aurora, where it is likely to make landfall on Sunday morning or afternoon, Sept. 25.

“After crossing the mountainous terrain of Northern Luzon, the tropical cyclone is forecast to emerge over the West Philippine Sea tomorrow late evening or Monday early morning (Sept. 25). Karding will then continue tracking westward over the West Philippine Sea for the remainder of the forecast period,” it added.

Brace for heavy to intense rains

PAGASA said light to heavy rains may begin affecting Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, and the northern portion of Aurora, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, and Camarines Sur between Saturday evening and early Sunday morning.

For the rest of Sunday through early Monday morning, heavy to torrential rains may prevail over the southern portion of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and the northern portion of Zambales.

Moderate to intense rains may also prevail over the rest of Central Luzon, while moderate to heavy rains may affect Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Metro Manila, and the rest of Isabela and Cordillera Administrative Region.

“Under these conditions, scattered flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps and in localities with significant antecedent rainfall,” PAGASA said.

It added that because of the southwest monsoon or “habagat” partly influenced by Karding, occasional rains are possible over most of Southern Luzon and Visayas, especially over the western sections, as early as Saturday

'Karding' intensifies, on track to West PH Sea

By Arlie O. Calalo, Manila Times

TROPICAL Storm "Karding" has slightly intensified while it continues tracking over the West Philippine Sea, the state-run weather agency said on Friday.

Senior weather specialist Raymond Ordinario of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Karding is moving westward at 15 kilometers per hour (kph) with maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph.

It was estimated some 970 km east of Northern Luzon while gradually accelerating toward the east coast or Aurora, Ordinario said.

Pagasa said tropical cyclone wind signals may be hoisted as early as Friday night over the eastern portions of Northern and Central Luzon, he said.

"Per latest track and intensity forecast, the most likely highest wind signal that will be hoisted is Signal No. 3," the Pagasa weatherman added.

He said Karding is likely to make landfall on Sunday morning or afternoon as a severe tropical storm.

"After crossing the mountainous terrain of Northern Luzon throughout Sunday, the tropical cyclone will continue tracking over the West Philippine Sea," the Pagasa forecaster said.

Due to the southwest monsoon locally known as "habagat" partly influenced by the tropical storm, occasional rains are also possible beginning Sunday over most of Southern Luzon including Metro Manila and Visayas, especially over their western sections.

Over the next 24 hours, Pagasa said the trough of Karding and habagat will bring cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over Visayas, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Bicol Region, Zambales and Bataan.

On one hand, Metro Manila and the rest of the country might have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to the localized thunderstorms.

LPA east of Central Luzon now tropical depression Karding

Tropical Depression Karding (Photo courtesy of PAGASA)

by Charie Mae F. Abarca, Manila Bulletin

The low pressure area (LPA) east of Central Luzon has developed into tropical depression Karding, the 11th tropical cyclone to enter and form in the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) in 2022.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the weather disturbance developed at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22. Bulletins for this tropical cyclone will be issued beginning Thursday at 11 a.m.

Meanwhile, apart from Karding, the southwest monsoon, locally called “habagat,” is also being monitored. This weather system, according to PAGASA, may bring partly cloudy skies with isolated rain showers in various parts of the country. In a public weather forecast, PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja said that the southwest monsoon will particularly affect the western sections of Central and Southern Luzon in the next 24 hours.