Typhoon Nona kills 45

AT least 45 people were killed while more than 200,000 others were displaced as typhoon Nona battered parts of Luzon and Eastern Visayas days before Christmas.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said 24 persons were also injured during Nona’s wake and some 65,318 families or 289,616 people in Central Luzon, Mimaropa, Calabarzon and Eastern Visayas were brought to evacuation centers.

In the areas hit by the typhoon, several parts lost electricity, while at least 42 roads and 21 bridges were rendered impassable.

The multi-agency council placed damage to agriculture and infrastructure at around P2 billion, including some 168,439 houses damaged.

President Benigno Aquino III declared state of national calamity to hasten relief and rehabilitation efforts and to control the prices of basic goods.

“This declaration will, among others, effectively control the prices of basic goods and commodities for the affected areas and afford the government ample latitude to utilize appropriate funds for the rescue, recovery, relief, and rehabilitation efforts of, and to continue to provide basic services to, affected populations, in accordance with the law,” read Proclamation No. 1186 signed by Aquino on December 18.

Government agencies were tasked to provide or augment the basic services and facilities of affected local government units while law enforcement agencies, with support by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, were directed to ensure peace and order in the typhoon-hit areas.

In Bulacan, close to 8,000 people have been evacuated to higher grounds as the Angat and Bustos dams continue releasing excess water due to the heavy rains.

As of December 21, Angat Dam’s water level was at 215.92 meters.