Philippine Tropical Storm Bualoi: 26 Dead, 14 Undiscovered

JAKARTA - At least 26 people died, 14 were still missing, and 33 others were injured as a result of Tropical Storm Bualoi in the Philippines, reports the Philippine News Agency, Sunday.

The National Disaster Risk Management Council stated that 738,714 families or 2,797,706 people were affected by heavy rains, floods, and landslides caused by tropical cyclones known by local residents as Opong, Nando, and Mirasolini.

The council noted that 46,611 families (163,317 people) are now in the 2,680 evacuation center. Meanwhile, 31,448 families (118,957 people) received assistance outside the center.

The Cagayan Valley region reported that eight of its residents were killed, nine Bicol, four Cordillera Administrative Regions, two people in Central Luzon and Central Visayas each, and one person in East Visayas.

Extreme weather damaged 8,916 houses. The government has distributed cash assistance to 149,675 families through national institutions and local governments.

On Friday, Bualoi brought heavy rain and strong winds to the central regions of the Philippines and southern Luzon. This condition adds to the risks for residents in Bulacan who are still affected by flooding.

The storm follows Typhoon Super Ragasa that hit the country in the previous days, killing more than 20 people in Taiwan and the Philippines.

In addition, Sanya City, in Hainan Island Province, southern China, is in high alert status as Bualoi approaches, reports Xinhua News.

Sanya Airport suspended all flights from 9 am to 9 pm, and 36,842 people have been relocated. Schools in a number of areas are closed throughout the day.

Bualoi moved northwest at a speed of 25'30 kilometers per hour and is expected to pass near Hainan's south coast before hitting north-central Vietnam on Sunday night.