Batanes is currently experiencing the impacts of Typhoon Hanna (international name: Haikui) on Saturday, but a comprehensive assessment of the damage caused by Typhoon Goring has not yet been completed.
“Kadadaan lang po ni Typhoon Goring. Kami ay kasalukuyang nasa pag-a-assess ng damage ng Typhoon Goring at ngayon ay inaantay namin ang ibang mga report. Pero eto na naman po si Typhoon Hanna na bagamat ang kalagayan ng panahon dito ay medyo maulap pero may araw naman ng kaunti,” Batanes Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head Roldan Esdicul said.
According to Esdicul, the power supply in the municipality of Itbayat has been disrupted because fuel deliveries to the island have been hampered by the strong waves generated by Typhoon Hanna.
“Ang naapektuhan ho ng service sa kuryente natin ay ang munisipyo ng Itbayat, ‘yung isla ng Itbayat. Kasi medyo kulang na po ang naitawid na fuel kaya nabawasan na ang power service nila, kaya 16 hours na lang sa ngayon [ang kanilang power],” he added.
Esdicul expressed hope that the weather conditions would improve, allowing for the delivery of fuel to the island.
Typhoon Hanna hits Batanes after Goring
Esdicul mentioned that they have not received any reports of evacuations being carried out at the moment. Communication is limited to calls and text messages, as Internet data services are currently unavailable.
“‘Yung komunikasyon natin ay sa call at text lang po. Nawala na po ang data dito sa Batanes kaya hirap na hirap kami. Pero meron naman doon sa isang telco pero hindi masyadong malakas. Medyo hirap kami ngayon,” the Batangas PDRRMO chief said.
Esdicul mentioned that a complete assessment of agricultural damage has not been finalized, but it is expected that primarily vegetables and standing crops, like bananas, have been impacted by Typhoon Goring. There may also be reports of damage to infrastructure, but a comprehensive report will be compiled once reports from the municipalities are received.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was raised over Batanes as Typhoon Hanna (international name: Haikui) continued its westward trajectory towards the sea east of Taiwan, according to PAGASA’s 5 a.m. bulletin. Over the next 36 hours, Batanes can anticipate strong winds with speeds ranging from 39 to 61 km/h, posing a minimal to minor threat to life and property.
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