Tropical Storm ‘Ramil’ affects over 150,000 in Western Visayas

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

Tropical Storm Ramil, which exited the Philippine area of responsibility on Monday morning, October 20, affected more than 150,000 people across four provinces in Western Visayas, according to the latest report from the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) Region 6.

The RDRRMC’s Situational Report No. 3, released at noon on Monday, recorded 154,664 individuals or 42,963 families from 332 barangays in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Iloilo provinces affected by the storm.

The breakdown showed 110,538 affected persons in Capiz, 24,631 in Aklan, 18,772 in Iloilo province, and 723 in Antique.

Two casualties were reported, both from Capiz.

At least 93 houses across the region were damaged, with 82 partially damaged and 11 totally destroyed.

Of the totally damaged houses, seven were in Capiz, two in Antique, and one each in Aklan and Iloilo.

Seven roads in Capiz were rendered impassable, while one in Antique has since been cleared for passage.

A total of PHP 3.23 million worth of assistance has been distributed to 6,915 affected families, including 5,798 in Capiz and 1,117 in Iloilo province.

This represents only 32.74 percent of the 21,118 families identified as requiring assistance, consisting of 19,986 in Capiz, 1,117 in Iloilo province, and 15 in Aklan.

Tropical Storm Ramil, the latest weather disturbance to affect the region, brought moderate to heavy rains over the weekend that caused flooding and disrupted transportation, particularly in low-lying areas of Capiz and northern Iloilo.

Local governments continue to coordinate with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Office of Civil Defense to expedite relief operations and road clearing efforts.