Philippines: Dozens buried in landslide in Natonin October 30 /update 3

Event

Dozens of people were buried in a landslide in the Cordillera mountain area of Natonin (Mountain province) on Tuesday, October 30. The landslide obstructed roads in the area, inhibiting rescue operations from assisting trapped persons. The landslide comes after Typhoon Yutu (Rosita) struck northern Luzon early (local time) on Tuesday, packing maximum sustained winds of 150 km/h (95 mph) and bringing heavy rains and consequent flooding. Some 10,000 people evacuated ahead of the storm, which destroyed homes, toppled power lines and trees, and left at least eight others dead. Yutu, located 210 km (130 mi) northwest of Dagupan City (Pangasinan province) in the South China Sea as of the morning of Wednesday, October 31, is forecast to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Wednesday afternoon.

Though the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has lifted all tropical cyclone warning signals as of Wednesday morning, lingering transportation disruptions and power outages are expected in affected areas of northern Luzon over the coming days. Further forecast rainfall over northern and central Luzon may exacerbate flooding and cause additional landslides over the near term.

Context

Before striking the Philippines, Typhoon Yutu caused damage in Guam and the Mariana Islands, forcing airport closures. Tropical cyclones and typhoons are common in the Western Pacific from May through November.

Advice

Individuals present in the abovementioned locations are advised to monitor local weather reports, anticipate lingering transportation and power disruptions, reconfirm flights, obey instructions issued by the local authorities (e.g. evacuation orders), and avoid flood-prone areas until the situation stabilizes. Remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult.