Zambales, Pangasinan worst hit by 'Cosme' - NDCC

MANILA, Philippines - Zambales and Pangasinan are the provinces hit hardest by tropical storm "Cosme," according to the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC). Anthony Golez Jr, NDCC deputy administrator said at least two people were reported injured in Baguio City, while several road networks were disrupted due to trees that felled by the storm, which is forecast to exit Philippine territory by Tuesday. "So far, Zambales at Pangasinan ang may pinakamatinding pinsala (So far Zambales and Pangasinan have been hit hardest)," Golez said in an interview on dzBB radio. The Health department has ordered local medical teams to make sure epidemics do not break out in evacuation centers, according to Golez. The health teams have instructions also to make sure children do not catch diseases while in evacuation centers. Golez said Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr ordered the release of rice to families in areas affected by the storm. As this developed, dzBB radio quoted a report from the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council saying that it might take a month before electric power in Pangasinan is restored. Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said "Cosme" continues to weaken while traversing the mountainous terrain of Northern Luzon. It said that as of 10 a.m., "Cosme" was 30 kilometers (km) east of Tuguegarao City, packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 100 kph. "Cosme" was moving northeast at 19 kph and was expected to continue to cross Northern Luzon Sunday. By Monday morning it was expected to be 370 km east-northeast of Aparri, Cagayan or at 330 km east-southeast of Basco, Batanes. On Tuesday morning it is expected to be 1,030 km northeast of Basco, Batanes or at 440 kms east-southeast of Okinawa, Japan or outside the Philippine area of responsibility. Under Storm Signal No. 2 are Batanes, Cagayan, Babuyan, and Isabela. Under Storm Signal 1 are Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Quirino, Benguet, Pangasinan and La Union. "Cosme" will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon and bring occasional rains over Southern Luzon and Western Visayas. Residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes were advised to take all the necessary precautions against possible flash floods and landslides. Residents along the coastal areas of Western Luzon and Western Visayas were also alerted by Pagasa against big waves. - GMANews.TV