Tornado hits Minglanilla, Talisay City

CEBU, Philippines - Scores of houses and business establishments were either destroyed or damaged when a waterspout which developed into a tornado barreled through the town of Minglanilla and the city of Talisay yesterday afternoon.

Only one person was reported injured as the tornado ripped through coastal barangays of Calajoan and Tungkil in Minglanilla, and Pooc and Mohon in Talisay City.   

Residents were caught by surprise as what they initially thought as an approaching heavy rain formed into a huge violent rotating column of winds ripping away roofs of their houses around 1 p.m.

Yesterday's tornado started as a waterspout, said Oscar Tabada, chief of the Mactan station of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

"The one experienced today (Tuesday) reached an intensity of more than 200 kilometers per hour with a diameter of less than one kilometer. It lasted for 20-30 minutes," he said.

Tabada said the tornado has the same speed as Typhoon Ruping but did not create as much damage because its life span was shorter than that of a typhoon. It did not also cause flooding.

Path of destruction

The tornado reportedly started in Sitio San Pedro, Barangay Calajoan in Minglanilla where it destroyed four houses owned by Joy Cabatuan, Nonito Anhao, Lutchie Lugera and Claris Sakay.

It also destroyed a perimeter fence and a portion of an animal feeds factory before it maneuvered towards Deca Homes in Barangay Tungkil where it uprooted trees and destroyed a basketball court and 17 houses owned by Myrna Marigomen, Lucia Depariene, Nathaniel Sayago, Jurydel Madelo, Carena Demaano, Lucile Sugahit, Joy Saplanan, Dionesio Cabutagi, Rogelio Sabaldan, Cecilio Varquez Jr., Engr. Rey John Tantay, Raniel Abcede, Judyline Mirandayo, Maria Ellaine Ocariza, Rosalito Bunsocan, Jamaica Salon and a certain Ronron.

The tornado's rampage ended at the Villa Feliza where it also destroyed houses owned by Rowena Bondonedo, Aida Plando, Emie Collera and Yellei Belleza.

Belleza told The FREEMAN that she was inside their house during the incident.

"Nagtuo ko nga uwan unya dili diay, nahibulong ko nga itom unya nagtuyok nga hangin ug tubig. Mao na diay to," she said.

"Ang mga atop mura og papel naglupad sa hangin unya ang among bayabas, mansanitas ug ang tambis nangatumba na," she added.

Collera said the tornado moved their Pajero a few meters away.

"Maayo na lang walay samdan," she said.

The tornado lasted for about five minutes before it disappeared.

Police said no one was injured or died during the incident.

"Nakabantay man gud ang mga tao dayon unya nakatago sila sa ilang mga balay unya nakapangayo ug tabang," said PO2 Vincent Aliñabon, of the Minglanilla Police Station.

But Tungkil barangay captain Manolo Delgado said the tornado damaged more than 50 houses and affected some 70 households in his barangay.

The tornado damaged at least P1 million worth of property, Delgado said.

Most of the 55 houses hit by the tornado were severely damaged.

Luckily enough, Delgado said the tornado hit mostly concrete two-storey houses at Deca Homes subdivision.

"Maayo na lang kay lig-on ang ilang kabalayan," the barangay captain said.

Today, Delgado said they will conduct a house-to-house inspection on the affected households to check the extent of the damage.

As of 7 p.m. last night, Feliza and St. Jude subdivisions remained without electricity.

Other affected  areas  temporarily experienced power brownout and water supply was cut off.

In Talisay City

Barangays Pooc and Mohon in Talisay City also suffered the same fate.

Three classrooms of the Talisay Mind Power Creativity, a private school in Barangay Pooc, lost their roofs while 10 houses which are made of light materials in Barangay Mohon were destroyed.

Seven out of the 10 houses were reportedly flown away.

Letecia Labadan, 40, was injured when her right leg was hit by a galvanized iron.

At least 40 households in Talisay City were without electricity after an electricity transformer exploded.

Learning experience

Thunderstorm warnings should be taken as cue for the public to prepare for possible tornadoes or waterspouts.

"Karon, ang atong angay bantayan kay dili na lang gyud lightning, thunder, kusog nga ulan, but also possible tornadoes as well. Sa una unusual ni siya nga occurrence but since daghan nag reported tornadoes sa Danao, SRP, Punta Engaño, dapat na gyud ni nga bantayan sa tanan," PAGASA Mactan chief Oscar Tabada told The FREEMAN.

He said yesterday's tornado which destroyed houses but did not leave any casualty along coastal barangays in Minglanilla and Talisay City should be a learning experience.

"Kung makakita na gani ka nga baga na ang clouds which is of grey shade and paspas ang hangin, possible na nga mu develop into tornado. They usually develop from thunderstorms," Tabada said.

Waterspouts, he explained, is the strong whirling winds that originate from the waters while those that hit the lands are called tornadoes.

He also reminded the importance of being updated on thunderstorm warnings released by PAGASA. - With Niña G. Sumacot/LPM (FREEMAN)