MANILA, Oct 20: Seven people were reported killed while two others were missing due to Tropical Storm Ramil, the Philippine News Agency (PNA) reported, citing the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Monday.

In its latest situational report, the NDRRMC also said one person was injured due to the cyclone.

Five of the reported fatalities were from Calabarzon (Southern Tagalog) while two were from Region 6 (Western Visayas). Meanwhile, the two missing were from Western Visayas while the injured was from Calabarzon.

The NDRRMC report said all the figures are subject for validation.

Ramil, which lashed portions of Luzon and the Visayas over the weekend, also affected 37,852 families or 133,196 persons in Regions 2 (Cagayan Valley), 3 (Central Luzon), 6, and 8 (Eastern Visayas).

As of Monday noon, 2,260 families are being aided in 166 evacuation centres while another 1,720 are being assisted in other places, the NDRRMC said.

Damaged houses were placed at 68, all in Region 6, with 57 classified as “partially damaged” and 11 as “totally damaged.” – TVS

DAVAO CITY: Lebih 1.2 juta individu terjejas di seluruh Wilayah Davao di selatan Filipina susulan dua gempa bumi masing-masing bermagnitud 7.4 dan 6.8 yang menggegarkan Davao Oriental dan kawasan sekitarnya baru-baru ini, menurut kemas kini menyeluruh dikeluarkan oleh Jabatan Kebajikan dan Pembangunan Sosial Wilayah Davao (DSWD-11) pada Isnin, lapor Agensi Berita Filipina (PNA).

Setakat 19 Oktober, DSWD-11 melaporkan sejumlah 1,204,148 individu mewakili 275,649 keluarga di 452 'barangay' (kampung) merentasi 32 bandar dan majlis perbandaran terjejas akibat gegaran kuat itu.

Wilayah yang paling teruk terjejas termasuk Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro dan Davao del Norte, sekali gus mencetuskan mobilisasi segera bantuan kemanusiaan.

Penilaian kerosakan menunjukkan sebanyak 1,176 rumah musnah sepenuhnya manakala 22,839 lagi mengalami kerosakan separuh.

DSWD-11 memaklumkan bahawa 679 keluarga (2,260 orang) kini berlindung di pusat pemindahan, manakala 52 keluarga (192 orang) tinggal bersama saudara mara atau di penempatan sementara di luar pusat rasmi.

Walaupun bencana itu berskala besar, agensi berkenaan memberi jaminan bahawa sumber bantuan masih mencukupi, dengan sejumlah PHP116 juta dalam bentuk dana siap siaga dan barangan bantuan masih ada.

Setakat ini, DSWD-11 menyalurkan bantuan bernilai PHP72.6 juta kepada komuniti yang terjejas, menunjukkan komitmennya terhadap tindak balas pantas dan usaha pemulihan.

KULIM: A victim who suffered serious injuries in a fireworks explosion in Paya Besar near here has been transferred to Penang Hospital, while five others are still being treated in the red zone of Kulim Hospital.

"Based on the information received, there are 22 victims in total. We will try to trace others who have returned home after receiving treatment,” said the special officer to the Home Minister Saiful Ambar Abdullah Ambar after visiting the victims at Kulim Hospital.

"We will try to assist the affected victims. As for the blast, it is best to wait for the investigation report from the authorities," he said.

The explosion happened during a public fireworks display held by members of the public along Jalan Paya Besar in Kulim in the early hours of Deepavali.

One of the victims, Nurzaina Ismail, 47, said she and her family had gone out to enjoy the festive atmosphere as they lived nearby.

"When they were lighting fireworks, I felt a sudden pain and heat in my abdomen and legs. I couldn't walk, and my children had to send me to the hospital.

“I went to see (the fireworks display) last year, too. This is the first time something went awry," she said.

Meanwhile, another victim, R. Pasupathi, 74, said he was merely passing through the area when he was hit by fragments from the exploding fireworks.

"I just wanted to enjoy the festive atmosphere, but not like this. I'm far from happy now," he said. – Bernama

PONTIAN: Flash floods that struck two villages here over the past three days have now completely subsided.

The only temporary relief centre operating in the area was officially closed this afternoon.

Johor State Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Asman Shah Abd Rahman confirmed the relief centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan Penerok ceased operations at 2 pm today.

He stated that the centre had provided shelter for 53 residents from 14 families until noon. The flooding had affected Kampung Makam Penerok and Kampung Parit Bugis specifically.

Asman Shah added that all rivers in Johor are currently below warning or alert levels. Weather conditions across all districts in the state have been reported as clear and stable. – Bernama