MANILA — Inclement weather brought about by Tropical Storm Marce has forced the preemptive evacuation of 637 families, consisting of about 2,959 persons, in Central Visayas and the CARAGA regions, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said in its Saturday update.
The families are taking shelter in five evacuation centers in both regions.
Meanwhile, 285 families, composed of 1,100 people in 13 barangays in CARAGA, have been severely affected by ‘Marce’ and a majority of them are in evacuation centers in the region.
No casualty or death has so far been reported.
CARAGA covers the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and Dinagat Islands; and the cities of Butuan, Cabadbaran, Surigao City, Tandag, Bislig and Bayugan.
‘Marce’ has affected a large portion of the Visayas and Mindanao since it intensified into a tropical storm Friday.
The state weather bureau, PAGASA, has forecast ‘Marce’ to be 325 km. southwest of Zambales’ Iba municipality by Saturday morning.
It also expected ‘Marce’ to be 550 km. west-northwest of Iba by Sunday afternoon, already outside the Philippine area of responsibility. PNA-northboundasia.com