'Mina' exits PHL, leaves many roads in Luzon impassable

(Updated 10:48 p.m.) Tropical cyclone “Mina" (Nanmadol) exited the Philippine area of responsibility late Monday, leaving in its wake at least 42 roads and bridges in Luzon closed to traffic, based on government’s latest disaster reports. Landslides, scoured slope protection, eroded shoulders and floods prompted local governments to close to traffic at least 42 bridges and road sections in Luzon, said the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). In its latest update on "Mina," the NDRRMC said the bridges and road sections that were closed were:

• 11 roads in Region I (Ilocos)
• 7 bridges and one road in Region II (Cagayan Valley)
• 2 bridges and one road in Region VI (Western Visayas)
• 1 bridge in Metro Manila and
• 19 roads in Cordillera.

The death toll remained at 17, with eight missing and 21 injured. The NDRRMC said "Mina" has so far affected 56,287 families or 232,019 people in 664 villages in 95 towns and six cities in 16 provinces. Of these, 1,096 families or 4,765 people are being served inside 37 evacuation centers. At least 50 houses were destroyed while 925 were damaged. Damage to property was estimated at P1.01 billion, including P23.2 million in infrastructure and P986.753 million in crops.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV “‘Yung mga gamit para sa farming, at saka pondo para sa infrastructure, sana kay Presidente, kasi matagal na naming plano itong maka-build ng tulay dito," added Baggao Mayor Leonadro Pattung in an interview aired on GMA News TV’s “State of the Nation" newscast. PAGASA 'Mina' update Meanwhile, “Mina" has exited the Philippine area of responsibility as of 5 p.m. Monday, said Mario Palafox, senior weather specialist of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), in an interview Monday night on State of the Nation.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV PAGASA still expects “Mina," however, to pull monsoon winds and cause rain in northern and central Luzon, Palafox said. He said the weather is expected to improve in Metro Manila and Southern Luzon. “Talas," the other weather disturbance initially expected to enter the Philippines, will no longer enter the country’s area of responsibility. “Talas" will instead proceed to southern Japan, he said. Palafox said that three to four more typhoons are expected to enter the Philippines in September, two to three in October, one to two in November, and one in December. — With Paterno Esmaquel II/VS, GMA News