04 Dec 2019 | 05:34 AM UTC
Philippines: Death toll rises as Severe Tropical Storm Tisoy passes into the South China Sea December 4 /update 7
Death toll rises to 13 people as Severe Tropical Storm Tisoy enters the South China Sea on December 4; heavy rain, storm surge, and lingering associated disruptions expected
Event
Philippine authorities confirmed that as of approximately midday (local time) on Wednesday, December 4, at least 13 people have been killed and several others injured during the passage of Typhoon Tisoy. The storm made landfall near the city of Gubat (Luzon) on Tuesday, December 3, and caused widespread destruction to infrastructure and power lines. Power outages were reported across Bicol region, with nearly two million people affected. As of Wednesday morning, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has reported that 458,020 people are staying inside evacuation centers.
According to local media reporting, flight operations at Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) have resumed on Wednesday following a 12-hour closure on Tuesday. However, MNL authorities have announced dozens of domestic and international flight cancelations on Wednesday. Cebu Pacific airlines also canceled several domestic flights to and from Legazpi City Domestic Airport (LGP) on Wednesday due to damage sustained to the airport during the storm. Lingering flight disruptions are expected in the coming days.
Typhoon Tisoy was downgraded to a Severe Tropical Storm on Wednesday. The Philippine meteorology agency PAGASA stated at 10:00 that Tisoy is located at approximately 14.1°N, 117.7°E, with maximum sustained winds of 95 kph (59 mph) and moving west-northwestward at 15 kph (9 mph). Although all Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals have been lifted as of 11:00 on Wednesday, PAGASA forecasts moderate to rough seas to persist in parts of Luzon and moderate to heavy rains in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Aurora regions. The storm is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, December 5. Associated flooding, landslides, power outages, and severe disruptions to transportation and business are expected across affected areas of the Philippines.
Advice
Individuals in the Philippines are advised to monitor local weather reports, anticipate lingering transportation and business disruptions, confirm flight reservations, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities. Avoid walking or driving through floodwaters; 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult.
