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Storm triggers evacuation of 23,086 families in Bicol


MANILA, Philippines - At least 23,086 families or 117,963 people were evacuated from lahar, flood and landslide-prone areas in Albay province even as storm "Frank" (Fengshen) plowed through Bicol Friday night. The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) also reported that as of Friday evening, four fishermen were missing off Getafe in Bohol province. It also reported power failures in Northern Samar, Eastern Samar and Samar provinces. Clearing operations of fallen electrical posts and trees had started. NDCC said the Kabungan to Tabnok to Consuegra, Calubian to San Isidro to Tabango, Tabinglugs to Rabango, and Lapaz to Javier to Bato roads were hardly passable due to washed-out surface materials. As of 11 p.m., the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said "Frank" maintained its strength and continues to endanger Southern Luzon. "Frank" was 50 kms southeast of Masbate as of 10 p.m. Friday, packing maximum sustained winds of 140 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph. It was moving west-northwest at 19 kph and was to cross Masbate then traverse the inland waters of Southern Luzon Friday night. By Saturday evening it was to be 60 kms northeast of Metro Manila. By Sunday evening it was to be 30 kms south of Laoag City. By Monday evening it was to be 110 kms northwest of Basco, Batanes. Under Storm Signal 3 were Masbate, Sorsogon, Albay, Burias Island, Catanduanes, Camarines provinces, Southern Quezon, Marinduque, Romblon and Oriental Mindoro in Luzon; Samar provinces, Leyte, Biliran Island, Capiz, Aklan, and Northern Antique in Visayas. Placed under Storm Signal 2 were Cuyo Island, Calamian Group, Occidental Mindoro, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, the rest of Quezon, Rizal, and Metro Manila in Luzon; Southern Leyte, Northern Cebu, Northern Negros Occidental, Iloilo and the rest of Antique in Visayas. Under Storm Signal 1 were Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Zambales, Northern Palawan, Lubang Island in Luzon; the rest of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Siquijor Island, the rest of Cebu and Bohol and Dinagat Island in Mindanao. "Residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes are advised to take all the necessary precautions against possible flashfloods and landslides. Likewise, those living in coastal areas under signal 2 and 3 are alerted against big waves or storm surges generated by this typhoon," Pagasa said. - GMANews.TV
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