(Eagle News Service) — Some 8,000 residents of low-lying coastal areas and those living near waterways in Metro Manila evacuated to temporary shelters on Monday (December 8), as typhoon Ruby, international name Hagupit, lashed across provinces south of the capital and threatened Metro Manila Monday evening.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the death toll from “Ruby”, which has weakened into a tropical storm Monday late afternoon, stood at two. Both victims – one-year old Thea Rojo, and 65-year old Ernesto Baylon — came from Iloilo province and died of hypothermia.
More than 1 million persons were affected and have been moved in temporary shelters or evacuation sites, so they could escape Hagupit’s wrath.
According to the NDRRMC, at least 259,675 families or 1,186,961 persons were affected by “Hagupit”. Of this number, 226,605 families or 1,034,464 persons were served inside and outside evacuation centers.
Many affected residents cooperated with the government’s advance evacuation efforts. Most were prompted into action after learning from the lessons of Typhoon Yolanda which wreaked havoc in Eastern Visayas last year. More than 7,000 died in November 2013 mostly due to storm surges brought by typhoon Yolanda that took coastal residents by surprise.
While the NDRRMC only reported two confirmed deaths, the Philippine National Red Cross reported at least 21 deaths due to storm Ruby (Hagupit)
Meanwhile, at least 1,731 families or 7.988 persons were pre-emptively evacuated to 19 evacuation centers in Manila, Marikina, Navotas, Pampanga, Muntinlupa and Malabon in Metro Manila.
Nearly 5,000 evacuees from the Baseco Compound stayed in temporary shelters to take cover from potential storm surges, even though the storm has weakened considerably since its initial landfall on Saturday (December 6) evening.
Baseco’s residents are all too familiar with storm devastation, and were not going to take chances.
“The thought that the typhoon will be passing near us is scary,” said evacuee Catherine Belocillo, who took refuge with her baby.
Others turned to prayer as they feared the onslaught.
17 Metro Manila cities placed on heightened alert
At least 17 cities in Metro Manila were already placed on heightened alert. These are Las Pinas, Manila, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Pasay City, San Juan City, Pasig City, Navotas City, Paranaque, Quezon City, Taguig, Valenzuela, Pateros, and Caloocan City.
The NDRRMC said various rescue teams were placed on standby. The various Barangay Risk Reduction and Management Councils in the affected areas are also placed on alert. (with a report from Reuters)
