THE low pressure area has moved up towards Albay, and is expected to dump more rains to Bicol region as well as the eastern Luzon today, Februay 20.

The skies are clearer now in Mindanao, but the LPA left a destructive trail, killing at least two persons, injuring five and flooding more than 90,000 people in 20 provinces.

2 casualties

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the two casualties of the LPA were from Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte and Gov. Generoso, Davao Oriental.

The unidentified victim from Zamboanga del Norte is a 36-year female who was reported missing by her husband on the night of Valentine’s Day, her body was found February 15, around 11:30 am.

“The victim together with her husband was on their way home but due to heavy rain, the water on the spillway overflowed. Suddenly the victim slipped and was s weptby the strong current water,” the NDRRMC report said.

The second victim from Davao de Oro is identified as Joel Gaudicos, from Purok 3, Barangay Tamblan in Gov. Generoso town. He was carried away by a strong current.

Three persons were injured in also Northern Mindanao, while two others were hurt in SOCSKSARGEN.

LPA destruction

The trough of the LPA has started affecting Mindanao on February 13, 2023.

Since then, a total of 26,477 families or 91,748 persons were affected in eight regions, the NDRRMC said. Of these affected population, around 30,000 were brought to evacuation centers.

Forty-four cities and municipalities also suspended classes, 14 of which are from Zamboanga Peninsula Region. Six cities and towns are suspended work.

Sixteen houses were damaged in Western Visayas, eight in Northern Mindanao and one in Zamboanga Peninsula.

Farmers are likewise affected. Around 133 hectares of crops were inundated, with estimated P3.3 million in losses. El Nonokvillage in Banga, South Cotabato reported around P3 million loss from fisheries produce due to flooding.

The government has released around P4 million worth of assistance.

Soldiers in Caraga help in search and rescue ops

Last Saturday, troops from Philippine Army 4th Infantry Division helped in the disaster response of local government in the Caraga region.

• Rescued residents trapped by rising floodwaters
  • Barangay Pongtud, Alegria, Surigao del Norte
  • Brgy Buhangin and Brgy. Mahay in Butuan City
• Evacuated residents affected by flash floods in:
  • Brgy Tagmamarkay, Tubay, Agusan del Norte
  • Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte
• Cleared road due to landslides:
  • Brgy Mahayahay, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur
  • Brgy. De Oro, Butuan City
  • Poblacion, Santiago Highway, Agusan del Norte
• Held search and rescue operation :
  • San Miguel, Surigao del Sur
  • Brgys Payasan and Ban-as in Lianga, Surigao del Sur

Weather at a glance

Place	Weather Condition	Caused By	Impacts
Bicol Region, Mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Quezon, and Northern Samar	Cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms	LPA / Shear Line	Possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to heavy with at times intense rains
The rest of Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Ilocos Norte	Cloudy skies with rains	Northeast Monsoon	Possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate with at times heavy rains
Mindanao, the rest of Visayas, and MIMAROPA	Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms	LPA / Localized Thunderstorms	Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms
Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon	Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with light rains	Northeast Monsoon	No significant impact

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With reports from Michael Tolang, photos courtesy Philippine Army 4th Infantry Division