Typhoon Bising: What we know (so far)
Today, April 19, PAGASA says Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, Biliran and the northern portion of Leyte will continue to experience moderate to heavy with at times intense rains. The typhoon is forecast to gradually weaken from its current intensity.
Tomorrow, 20 April, Northern Samar will continue to experience moderate to heavy rains.
One dead, thousands evacuated
A man died after being struck by an uprooted coconut tree at the height of Typhoon Bising. Alberto Wales, 79, of San Isidro village, St. Bernard, Southern Leyte, was confirmed as the fatality by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) regional office here. On arrival at the Anahawan District Hospital about 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, he was pronounced dead.
Meanwhile, in San Jose, Northern Samar, Louie Din, 40, went missing on April 16 after venturing into the sea with three other companions to collect livestock from a nearby islet. On Sunday, his companions returned to their homes.
At least 13,692 people have been evacuated to safer areas in the provinces of Biliran, Samar, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Leyte. Flooding has been reported in 42 barangays in Northern Samar and 24 barangays in Eastern Samar.
Travelers stranded, roads impassable
Since Saturday, all inbound and outbound flights at Tacloban Airport have been cancelled.
The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) announced Monday that at least six domestic flights had been grounded. As of 11:00 am of April 19, Monday, the canceled flights were: CebGo (DG) 6177/6178 Manila-Masbate-Manila; DG 6195/6196 Manila-Legazpi-Manila; and PAL Express (2P) 2923/2924 Manila-Legazpi-Manila.
In addition, at least 1,196 travelers, 521 trucks, and 17 sea vessels have been stranded in various ports in Northern Samar, Samar, Leyte, and Southern Leyte provinces due to rough seas.
The Biliran-Naval Road, the Paranas-Taft-Borongan Road, and the Taft-Oras-San Policarpo-Arteche Road are all impassable due to floods.
Work and classes suspended
Most local government units (LGUs) in Eastern Visayas suspended online classes and government work on Monday.
Local governments have been releasing executive orders since Sunday, when many regions begin to witness high winds and heavy rains.
Tacloban City, Tanauan, and Leyte town in Leyte province; the entire Samar province; the entire Eastern Samar province; Kawayan, Maripipi, Almeria, Caibiran, Cabucgayan, Culaba, Naval, and the provincial government in Biliran province are among the local governments that have suspended work and school.
In response to Governor Edwin Ongchuan’s order, several towns in Northern Samar have suspended work and classes. Catarman, Catubig, Laoang, Palapag, Allen, Mondragon, Bobon, Lapinig, San Jose, Biri, San Roque, Lavezares, Rosario, Silvino Lubos, San Antonio, and Lope De Vega are among these regions.
Those involved of law and order, emergency risk control, hygiene and sanitation, and traffic management are exempt from the work suspension.
Power outages and restoration
Blackouts have been reported in Tacloban City; Ormoc City; some parts of Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar, and Southern Leyte; and the entire Eastern Samar province.
To follow announcements from power utilities in Eastern Visayas, go to our #WarayKuryente page.
More updates to follow
This is a developing story. Waray News will provide more updates as more information comes in.
