‘Ompong’ to affect 5.2 million people – NDRRMC
MANILA, Philippines — Over five million Filipinos living in the path of typhoon Ompong (international name: Mangkhut) are expected to be affected by the wrath of the most powerful storm to hit the country this year, a disaster official said Friday.
Government officials have ordered evacuations and suspended classes and work as “Ompong” approaches the Philippine landmass bearing maximum sustained winds of 205 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 255 kilometers per hour.
National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council spokesperson Edgar Posadas said that the number of individuals that will be affected by the typhoon increased to 5.2 million Friday from 4.2 million Thursday.
Of these, over 983,000 are living below the poverty line.
The typhoon is expected to make landfall in Cagayan-Isabela area early Saturday morning.
NDRRMC said that Isabela is expected to bear the brunt of “Ompong” with 1.57 million people affected, followed by Cagayan with 1.2 million
Over 55,000 houses in those high-risk areas have light walls and roofings.
State weather bureau PAGASA earlier warned that those living in Cagayan and Isabela may expect up to six meters of storm surge.
In the latest weather bulletin, 10 areas in Northern Luzon were placed under Signal No. 3. Residents of these areas will experience stormy weather.
Evacuations are underway in these areas.
“Ompong” will also boost southwest monsoon, which will bring moderate to occasionally heavy rains over Visayas, while scattered light to moderate to at times heavy rains over Palawan, Zamboanga Peninsula, northern Mindanao and CARAGA.
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