Typhoon Frank ravages Western Visayas
Rescue and relief agencies and groups in Western Visayas scrambled to help victims of typhoon “Frank” in what officials described as the worst flooding experienced in the region.
The death toll rose to at least 78 in Western Visayas as of noon yesterday, according to reports from the provincial disaster coordinating councils (PDCCs).
Iloilo province was the worst hit with 52 fatalities, followed by Antique with 15 and Capiz with four. At least 136 others were still missing including 78 in Iloilo and 55 in Antique.
The number of casualties is expected to rise as reports continue to trickle in from towns and villages, many of which were still isolated and cut off.
The provinces of Iloilo and Capiz and the cities of Iloilo and Roxas are expected to be declared under calamity areas today with most of its towns and villages affected by flooding.
Heavy rains and strong winds arise flooding entire communities, sweeping houses, knocking down trees and electric posts. Many roads were impassable because of fallen trees and landslides.
Tens of thousands of residents were affected by the storm, many of whom climbed trees and rooftops after waking up early Saturday morning with the water already inside their homes.
While water has subsided in some areas, many towns still reported continued flooding yesterday.
Most of Panay Island have no electricity after strong winds and waters knocked down electric posts and transmission lines including the power plant in Dingle town in Iloilo. Power restoration could take at least a week in many areas, said Iloilo provincial administrator Manuel Mejorada during a meeting of the Iloilo PDCC.
The provinces of Aklan and Capiz remained cut off from communication.
Capiz Gov. Victor Tanco said the storm knocked down cell sites hampering submission of reports and rescue operations.
Thousands were also evacuated in gymnasiums in schools from all of the province's 16 municipalities and Roxas City, said Tanco in a telephone interview.
City under water
Most of Iloilo City's 180 barangays were also flooded. Trees and giant billboards were knockdown and cars and other vehicles were stranded and swept away by rampaging waters which covered even major streets.
Thousands were also left homeless after their houses were blown away by strong winds or swept by floods.
Rescue and relief agencies and radio stations were swamped by frantic calls for help since Saturday as many residents all over the province and city climbed to rooftops or the second story of their houses as waters reached up to five feet deep.
Many of the victims, who have been on rooftops since dawn, were crying in desperation as they appealed on air for rescuers to fetch them with boats.
Worst ever
“This is the worst flash flooding that the province has experienced,” said Jerry Bionat, executive officer of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council. Bionat's wife and daughter themselves went to the roof of their house as the water rose quickly at dawn.
Bionat said flooding was experienced by almost all of the provinces 42 municipalities and one city including those that did not previously experienced flooding before.
Hardest hit were the northern and central towns of Iloilo including Barotac Viejo, Sara, Maasin, Cabatuan, Pavia and Sta. Barbara.
There was also not enough equipment and personnel to conduct rescue operations because of the number of those needing evacuation.
The storm also hit severely Boracay Island damaging or destroying resorts and boats, said resort owner Nenette Graf. She said strong winds and waters destroyed the sea wall of resorts along the Bolabog Beach at the opposite side of the white beach.
Relief and rescue
Air Force choppers also came for search and rescue operations and to deliver relief assistance to victims many of whom cut off from town centers
Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas Raul Banias said President Macapagal-Arroyo has directed all naval and air assets ready for disposal and rescue and relief operations in the region.
Banias appealed for help from other provinces and international relief and rehabilitation agencies because of the sheer magnitude of the calamity and the number of victims.
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas appealed for donations of ready-to-eat food, potable water and dry clothes.
“We need all the help that we can get,” said Treñas in a telephone interview from Morocco where he is for an official trip.