THE confluence of tropical storms Mirasol and super typhoon Nando left three dead, nine injured, and five missing, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
In its latest bulletin, the NDRRMC said however that it was still validating the casualty reports.
The agency also reported that more than 35,000 families, or about 123,00 individuals, have been affected by the storm.
It added that 24 roads and eight bridges remained impassable, while operations at 34 seaports were still suspended due to rough seas.
Floodwaters have also left 22 areas submerged.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said another low pressure spotted outside the Philippine area of responsibility has developed into a tropical depression named “Opong.”
Despite the exit of “Nando,” the country will still experience heavy rains by Thursday, the agency said.
It said the new tropical depression was less likely to directly affect the country’s weather condition, but may reach severe tropical storm category by Thursday afternoon.
“Nando” and “Opong” will both enhance the southwest monsoon and possible easterlies to bring gale-force gusts and moderate rainfall, PAGASA said.
It warned of the potential risks of coastal flooding due to storm surge in low-lying coastal areas of Southern Luzon and Eastern Visayas due to the passage of “Opong,” the country’s 15th tropical cyclone, the weather bureau said.
The center of “Opong” was estimated at 1,045 kilometers east of northeastern Mindanao.
It was moving west southwest at 10 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 70 km/h.
On the forecast track, “Opong” may pass close or make landfall over Northern Samar by Friday early morning and is expected to cross Southern Luzon area until Friday evening or Saturday early morning.
Based on PAGASA’s 5 p.m. bulletin on Tuesday, Wind Signal No. 1 remained hoisted over Northern Luzon — Batanes, Cagayan, the northern portion of Isabela, the northern portion of Isabela, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and the northwestern portion of Pangasinan — even after “Nando” left the PAR early yesterday morning.
