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‘Feria’ slows down, changes course; death toll now 8


MANILA, Philippines - Tropical depression "Feria" (international name Nangka) slowed down and changed its course Thursday morning, even as the death toll arising from the tropical cyclone climbed to 8. In its 5 a.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Feria was 105 km west southwest of Subic, Zambales or 170 km west of Metro Manila as of 4 a.m. Thursday. Feria was forecast to move west northwest at 15 kph as it packed maximum sustained winds of 55 kph, Pagasa added. "Central and Southern Luzon will experience occasional rains becoming frequent over the Western section which may trigger flash floods and landslides, while the rest of Luzon and the Western section of Visayas will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms. The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms," it said. On the other hand, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said the number of deaths climbed to eight, with the latest fatalities coming from a landslide in Cagayan de Oro City. The NDCC report identified the two fatalities from Cagayan de Oro City as Edgar Salida, 43; and Renico, 43. It cited belated reports the two were killed in a landslide at 1 p.m. Tuesday. Earlier reported killed were four fishermen in Quezon province; and two people who drowned in Cebu. At least 11 remained missing, including a four-year-old in Romblon; a fisherman in Cebu; five fishermen in Eastern Samar; two fishermen in Sorsogon; and two in Aklan. The NDCC said at least five were reported injured, including fishermen Paquito Pedrigal, 53; and Raniel Pedrigal, 26. The two were in the fishing boat Annabel when a tornado hit it while it was docked in Perez town in Quezon province. Thousands affected, stranded On the other hand, the NDCC said at least 10,228 families or 44,401 individuals were affected in 122 villages in 12 provinces in south Luzon, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas. The NDCC said 37 houses were destroyed while 551 were damaged. At least 9,978 were reported stranded, but Coast Guard commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said on dzBB radio early Thursday they will lift the ban on sea travel in areas no longer affected by "Feria." Damage to property was estimated at P3.1 million. Meanwhile, power was restored to Bauan, Batangas at 5:40 p.m. Wednesday. Still impassable to traffic were roads and bridges in Pampanga, including Candaba-San Miguel Road in Paralaya and Mangumbali villages in Candaba; and Baliwag-Candaba-Sta. Ana Road in San Agustin and Paligui villages in Candaba. Also still impassable were several roads in Tablas Island, San Agustin-Sta. Maria Road, Ferrol-Odiongan Road, and Sibuyan Island in Romblon. Likewise impassable was the bridge going to Tucdao, Uson, Katipunan and Salawad in Biliran province, due to a minor landslide and scoured bridge. Classes suspended As early as Wednesday night, the government had announced the suspension of classes in the preschool, elementary and high school levels for Thursday in Metro Manila, Bataan, Batangas and Cavite because of expected heavy rains in the area. The suspension of classes in colleges and universities will be determined by officials of these institutions. Meanwhile, areas under Storm Signal No. 1 include Northern Mindoro, Lubang Island, Batangas, Cavite, Bataan, Zambales, and Metro Manila. "Feria" is forecast to be 320 km west southwest of Laoag City Friday morning; 380 km west of Basco, Batanes Saturday morning; and 100 km west of Taiwan Sunday morning. "Residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides," Pagasa said. But Pagasa said "Feria" may re-intensify into a storm over the South China Sea. - GMANews.TV
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