Typhoon 'Ursula' ruins Christmas for thousands of Filipinos
MANILA, Philippines — Thousands of people in typhoon-prone central Philippines have had their Christmas plans ruined after they were told to leave their homes as a severe tropical storm approaches.
Officials on Christmas Eve said residents should evacuate coastal areas, and
Damaging gale- to storm-force winds
Though much weaker, Ursula was tracking a similar path as Super Typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan), the country's deadliest cyclone on record which left
All ships on the storm's projected path through the central islands
"Some families are reluctant to evacuate because they want to celebrate Christmas at home, but local officials will force them out if they refuse to heed our warnings," regional civil defence official
"We are aiming for zero casualties,"
Local carriers also suspended dozens of domestic flights.
The state weather service said
It advised residents, including those in Manila, to stay indoors on Christmas Day to avoid the high winds which can cause damage to weaker structures.
The Philippines is the first major landmass facing the Pacific cyclone belt, and the archipelago gets hit by an average of 20 storms and typhoons each year, putting millions of people in disaster-prone areas in a state of constant poverty.
Strong winds and associated dangers like floods, landslides, and, more rarely, giant walls of seawater pounding the coasts kill scores of people each year, wipe out farmers' harvests and destroy infrastructure.
Homes built with flimsy materials,
Monitor updates on "Ursula," the 21st tropical cyclone to hit the country this year.
Authorities say the number of people killed by a powerful storm that pummeled the central Philippines over Christmas has risen to 50, making it the nation's deadliest storm of 2019.
Typhoon Ursula's destructive winds and heavy rains brought down flimsy homes and destroyed commercial buildings mainly in the central island of Visayas, affecting more than two million people.
At least 80,000 remain in emergency shelters and might have to stay until the New Year, given the scale of destruction. — AFP
The death toll due to Typhoon Ursula which exited PAR last Saturday morning climbed to 47 while the number of injured also rose to 140. Disaster officials say nine people remain missing.
The casualties came from Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Central Visayas and Eastern Visayas.
Meanwhile, the cost of damage to infrastructure and agriculture in Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas and Eastern Visayas reached P1,079,311,046.
PAGASA says "Ursula" slightly weakens as it exits the Philippine area of responsibility.
Tropical Storm Ursula left PAR at 9:50 a.m. Saturday. It is no longer affecting the Philippines.
"However, the Tail-End of a Cold Front will bring scattered light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms over Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, and Aurora this morning," the state weather bureau says.
PAGASA says Typhoon Ursula is no longer affecting the Philippines directly.
Based on its 11 a.m. weather bulletin Friday, "Ursula" keeps its strenght while moving north-northwestward over the West Philippine Sea.
"However, the Tail-End of a Cold Front will bring moderate to occasional heavy rains over most of Cagayan Valley and Cordillera Administrative Region," says PAGASA.
"This rainfall may trigger flooding and landslides in highly to very highly susceptible areas," it adds.
As of 6 a.m. Friday, the NDRRMC says the death toll in the aftermath of Typhoon Ursula rose to 28. Of this number, four deaths are recorded in Capiz, two in Aklan, 13 in Iloilo, one in Cebu, one in Southern Leyte, two in Leyte, one in Biliran, three in Eastern Samar and one in Western Samar.
Two are recorded injured in Iloilo while 12 people are still missing.
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