NDRRMC: Deaths due to North Luzon rains hit 11

The death toll from landslides and floods caused by heavy rains in northern Luzon rose to 11 Saturday morning after one of four missing people was confirmed dead, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Saturday morning. National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council executive director Benito Ramos said the body of Victor Quilang, 40, was found in Cagayan. "Labing-isa na ang patay. Nakita ang isa sa Peñablanca, cagayan (Eleven have been confirmed dead. One of those missing in Peñablanca in Cagayan was found dead)," Ramos said in an interview on dzBB radio. In its 6 a.m. update, the NDRRMC said Victor Quilang, together with Joey Quilang, 26, was initially listed as missing after a landslide his village. Other fatalities included seven in Isabela, two in Aurora, and one in Kalinga. The NDRRMC said at least two were injured and three remain missing. It said three houses were destroyed in Casiguran (Aurora) and 30 were damaged due to mudslides in Tabuk-Kalinga. The NDRRMC said the floods and landslides affected at least 30,018 families or 144,458 people in 302 villages in 37 towns and one city in six provinces. Of these, 3,979 families or 19,524 people are staying in 56 evacuation centers. At least 19 roads and seven bridges in Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Aurora and Apayao remained impassable due to flooding, landslides and washed-out approaches. More rains seen According to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), floods and landslides may continue to threaten parts of northern Luzon due to rains expected from a low-pressure area (LPA) off Bicol. However, it said, the LPA is no longer likely to intensify into a cyclone as it is already near land. “Yes, it is possible rains will continue in Northern Luzon. The LPA is likely to bring those rains," PAGASA forecaster Rommel Yutuc said in an interview on dzBB radio. In a separate interview on dzRH, PAGASA forecaster Leny Ruiz said the LPA is too near land to intensify into a cyclone. The LPA would have been codenamed “Luis" had it become a cyclone. Still, Ruiz said the LPA will bring rains to parts of Luzon. — LBG, GMANews.TV