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Philippines: Typhoon OCHA Situation Report No. 1

Countries
Philippines
Sources
OCHA
Publication date

Ref: OCHA/GVA - 2006/0247

OCHA Situation Report No. 1
The Philippines - Typhoon

This situation report is based on information received from the Philippines National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) and the Philippines National Red Cross (PNRC).

Situation

1. Typhoon Durian, known as "Reming" in the Philippines, made landfall at Catanduanes on 30 November before moving westward to Mindoro on 1 December, south of Manila. Durian achieved maximum sustained winds of 190 kph at its centre with gusts of up to 225 kph.

2. Public Storm Warning Signal (PSWS) level 4 (highest level) was declared at Catanduanes, Albay and Camarines provinces and level 3 in Sorsogon, Quezon, Marinduque, Mindoro, Batangas, Cavite and Laguna. Manila city and nearby provinces remained at level 2.

3. The Philippines National Red Cross (PNRC) reports that heavy rains caused landslides/mudflows near the Mount Mayon volcano, affecting five or more villages near Daraga town in Albay province.

4. The NDCC reports 198 people confirmed dead, 260 missing and 64 injured.

5. NDCC reports that 25,020 people are affected in ten different provinces. Floodwaters have reportedly reached 10 feet in some areas.

6. A large but unconfirmed number of houses are known to have been destroyed or damaged. There are reports of damage to school buildings being used as evacuation centres.

7. Fallen trees and debris have closed roads across the affected region. Widespread power and communications outages have been reported, as well as disruption to water supplies.

8. A large number of shipping vessels and air flights have been cancelled. NDCC reports that 1,294 people, 246 vehicles and 9 vessels remain stranded.

National and International Response

9. NDCC reports that efforts are underway to clear roads to allow access for response teams.

10. A government C-130 transport plane was scheduled to deliver relief assistance (including food, drinking water, tents and non-food items) to Legaspi City on 1 December.

11. Government geologists will assess environmental damage and investigate the possibility of and mudflows from Mount Mayon.

12. NDCC will field a national assessment team (with line ministry involvement) on 2 December. Results of the assessment will be known later the same day, at which time the government will determine whether international assistance will be required.

13. Priority actions identified by NDCC at this point include: rapid damage and needs assessment, search & rescue operations and relief operations. The needs identified by NDCC include: food, drinking water, medical teams, social workers, medicines, body bags, blankets, tents and temporary shelter items, rescue team with dogs and helicopter for aerial survey.

14. NDCC has asked UNOSAT to provide satellite imagery of landslide-affected areas.

15. A number of governments have offered assistance for assessments and/or relief teams.

16. The United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Philippines has been in contact with the NDCC to offer the UN's full support.

17. The International Federation of the Red Cross has confirmed that it will mobilise a Field Assessment and Coordination Team.

18. This situation report, together with the information on contributions and other ongoing emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int

Map: Philippines: Typhoon Durian - Landslides in Albay

Tel.: +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:
Ms. Paola Emerson direct Tel. +41-22-9171613

Press contact:
(GVA) Ms. Elizabeth Byrs direct Tel. +41-22-917 2653
(N.Y.) Ms. Stephanie Bunker direct Tel. + 1-917 367 5126

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.