NDRRMC: Death toll from NLuzon rains rises to 7; 2 missing

The death toll from floods and landslides caused by heavy rains in Northern Luzon rose to seven as of Friday — the latest fatality being a resident of Isabela province, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Friday. In its 6 a.m. advisory, the NDRRMC also said at least two people were reported missing following a landslide in Peñablanca town in Cagayan province. According to NDRRMC’s update, the latest fatality due to drowning was identified as Willie Cordero, of Benito Soliven town in Isabela. Earlier, NDRRMC said five people in San Mariano town in Isabela died after a landslide covered their houses, while a 75-year-old man, Leon Liagao, died after a mudslide hit his home in Tabuk town’s Bulanao village in Kalinga province. Still missing are Victor Quiyang, 40; and Jovic Quiyang, 26, after a landslide hit their house in Bayan Lapi in Peñablanca, Cagayan. NDRMMC said the floods and landslides caused by the rains had affected 13,661 families or 68,641 people in 140 villages in 23 towns and one city in six provinces. Of these, 686 families or 3,533 people are staying in 30 evacuation centers. At least three houses were destroyed in Casiguran town in Aurora, while two houses were covered by mudslides in Brookside in Bulanao village in Tabuk. Magat Dam, located at the boundary of Ifugao and Isabela provinces, has kept two gates open as water levels remained at 193.31 meters, above the spilling level of 193 meters. NDRRMC said at least 13 roads and 16 bridges in Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Aurora and Apayao remained impassable due to flooding, landslides, and washed-out approaches. — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV