Hundreds of people in the north of the main Philippine island of Luzon left evacuation centers and returned home on Sunday (April 5) after a typhoon weakened significantly as it made landfall, although officials still warned of heavy rain and rough seas.
Once described as super typhoon Maysak as it bore down on the Philippines in recent days, the storm was carrying winds of 55 km ph (35 mph) and was rated as a tropical depression as it made landfall on Sunday morning.
“We are not expecting it to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility because our projection states that it will further weaken to a low pressure, so it will not become a storm anymore when it exits,” said Esperanza Cayanan, director of the weather bureau PAGASA.
The national disaster agency said no reports of casualties had been received as residents in coastal towns in the Luzon provinces of Isabela and Aurora emerged from shelters to return home.
However, they warned people in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes to remain vigilant because the storm could still bring heavy rains, flash floods and landslides.
While there were still some travel restrictions, the weakening of the storm was generally good news as millions of Filipinos began returning to the capital from beaches and mountain resorts after the four-day holiday.
Department of Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Austere Panadero said the local governments were still on alert and ready to respond for any possible casualties.
“We have advised the LGUs (Local Government Units) to assist with the security and safety of the residents and the traveling public,” he said.
Reuters
