7 of 10 SINKING & Africa Rolls; Nigeria: Floods again hit Plateau! 38 dead, scores still missing in worst floods in 50 years! Philippines: Storm bring more floods 7 dead, 2 missing!

Baguio, floodwater highs rooftops

Philippines SINKING:

/ Deep floods in La Union, impassable roads in northern Luzon
Eleven barangays in La Union are experiencing floods as deep as roof-level while roads in Region I and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) have been closed or declared impassable, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) recorded in a situational report issued Wednesday afternoon. In San Fernando, La Union the following barangays Cabaroan, Biday, and Tanqui have been recorded as having knee-deep floods, while floods in barangay Dalangayan West has reached roof level. In Bacnotan, La Union, floods in barangay Nagsimbaanan have reached chest level, while waters in barangay Raois have risen to knee level. Along Luna-Bangar road in barangay Rimos 3, 4, and 5, waters have been recorded as neck-deep. Meanwhile, floods in barangays Baccuit Norte, Paringao, Central West, and Quinavite in Bauang, La Union have subsided. NDRRMC reported that affected families in these areas were evacuated, though most roads were rendered impassable. /

/ 'Helen' leaves 7 dead, 2 missing. Tropical storm “Helen” has left at least seven people dead, mostly due to drowning, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Wednesday. /

/ Floods in Bay, Laguna show no signs of receding. Floods in Bay, Laguna may last until December, officials warned. Bay, a coastal town facing Laguna Lake, continues to suffer from rising floods even has rains have already stopped. /

/ A new tropical storm lashed the Philippines’ Luzon Island on Wednesday, causing floods and landslides in the island’s north-eastern areas. /

Nigeria:

/ The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has said that scores of people have been declared missing in the aftermath of the flood that cut off roads and destroyed the Shendam Bridge. /

/ Over 1,000 families across seven local government areas in Southern Plateau have been rendered homeless as the worst flood witnessed in 50 years raged through for a second day yesterday washing away homesteads, bridges, farmlands and livestock. The flood was unleashed by three days of torrential rains which fell throughout the weekend and Monday night swelling rivers and streams to overflow on Shendam and Langtang North and South which were worst hit. Mikang, Quan Pan and Wase local governments were also affected. The Shendam bridge gave way yesterday morning complicating the situation by cutting off access to the affected areas and the link between Plateau State and neighbouring Nasarawa and Taraba States. The Shendam and Langtang floods also destroyed houses, farms and other valuables. Among those stranded in Shendam town were NEMA officials, who had visited the town on Monday to distribute relief materials to victims of early floods in Wase, Langtang and Shendam. /

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Nigeria:

Nigeria: Scores Still Missing - NEMA Officials Trapped

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has said that scores of people have been declared missing in the aftermath of the flood that cut off roads and destroyed the Shendam Bridge.

The agency added that the scope of its mandate is limited to only providing succour to victims of disaster by way of providing shelter and distributing relief materials to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the affected areas.

The NEMA's Director, Relief and Rehabilitation, Mr. Edward Maigida, stated this yesterday during an interview with our correspondent.

LEADERSHIP had sought his views on steps being taken by the agency to address challenges arising from the collapse of the Shendam Bridge that was washed away by flood.

Reiterating that the agency is committed to ensuring that victims of natural and artificial disasters are given sense of belonging, Maigida stated that items, such as mattresses, rice, blanket, guinea corn, maize, wax prints, millet, indomie, guinea brocade, detergent, mosquito nets, nylon mats had been distributed to those displaced from their homes.

Maigida, who led NEMA delegation to the disaster area, told the victims that the items were provided by the Federal Government because of its concern for their plight, adding that the items were distributed to various local governments affected by the flood.

He also expressed the hope that the relief materials would be of great help to the victims, saying that "We know that these items won't give you the kind of comfort your homes would have provided you but we pray that you get back to your homes as soon as possible."

Maigida said the affected councils include Mikang, Shendam, Quan Pan, Wase, Langtang South and Langtang North in Plateau State.

Meanwhile, among those stranded after the collapse of the Shendam bridge were NEMA officials who visited the town on Monday to distribute relief materials to victims of early floods in Wase, Langtang and Shendam.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201208150185.html

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Nigeria: Tragedy On the Plateau - Worst Flood in 50 Years Renders 1,000

Over 1,000 families across seven local government areas in Southern Plateau have been rendered homeless as the worst flood witnessed in 50 years raged through for a second day yesterday washing away homesteads, bridges, farmlands and livestock.

The flood was unleashed by three days of torrential rains which fell throughout the weekend and Monday night swelling rivers and streams to overflow on Shendam and Langtang North and South which were worst hit. Mikang, Quan Pan and Wase local governments were also affected.

The Shendam bridge gave way yesterday morning complicating the situation by cutting off access to the affected areas and the link between Plateau State and neighbouring Nasarawa and Taraba States.

The Shendam and Langtang floods also destroyed houses, farms and other valuables.

Among those stranded in Shendam town were NEMA officials, who had visited the town on Monday to distribute relief materials to victims of early floods in Wase, Langtang and Shendam.

"We have lost our main bridge and we are at a loss as to how to handle this matter," a visibly shaken, Supervisory Councillor in charge of Social Services in Shendam Local Government, Alex Dabo told NAN adding that Shendam residents were worst affected by the development as the bridge was the main link to the market, schools, banks and many other offices located on the outskirts of the town.

NEMA Relief and Rehabilitation Officer for the North-Central, Mr Eugene Nyelong, who was among the stranded officials, told NAN that the agency's officials were already on ground to ascertain the level of damage to the bridge.

He said "We have to ensure that no casualty is recorded; we are also looking into the possibility of erecting a temporary alternative passage to restore some form of communication. "

"It is indeed a very bad situation; very devastating, but we shall see what we can do as quickly as possible."

NEMA spokesman for North-Central, Audu Yohanna, described the development as "very unfortunate", but expressed relief that no casualty was recorded.

"Nobody was killed, but cars cannot cross to the other side as I speak with you. The residents are just confused.

"What we intend to do is to try to find a way to Langtang through Tunkus and Mikang, while others will move through Lafia in Nasarawa State ."

It will be recalled that Plateau State witnessed similar flood incidents last month in Gangare, Tudun-Osi, Tudun Talakawa and Angwan Rogo settlements in Jos north where scores got drowned.

NIMET has predicted flooding in many states, among them Plateau, and advised stakeholders to be very vigilant.

We've never witnessed such flood in 50 years - Lar

Among those who visited affected areas was Senator Victor Lar (Plateau South) who described the incident as unprecedented adding that in his 50 years existence, he had never witnessed such a flood.

He urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to act quickly to avoid a break out of epidemic among displaced people in camps.

The senator donated food items and other relief materials worth more than N2 million to the displaced persons.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201208150187.html

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Philippines:

NDRRMC: Deep floods in La Union, impassable roads in northern Luzon

Eleven barangays in La Union are experiencing floods as deep as roof-level while roads in Region I and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) have been closed or declared impassable, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) recorded in a situational report issued Wednesday afternoon.

In San Fernando, La Union the following barangays Cabaroan, Biday, and Tanqui have been recorded as having knee-deep floods, while floods in barangay Dalangayan West has reached roof level.

In Bacnotan, La Union, floods in barangay Nagsimbaanan have reached chest level, while waters in barangay Raois have risen to knee level. Along Luna-Bangar road in barangay Rimos 3, 4, and 5, waters have been recorded as neck-deep.

Meanwhile, floods in barangays Baccuit Norte, Paringao, Central West, and Quinavite in Bauang, La Union have subsided.

NDRRMC reported that affected families in these areas were evacuated, though most roads were rendered impassable.

In addition, San Fernando-Baguilin road in Region I has been declared by the NDRRMC as not passable to all types of vehicles, while barangay Wenceslao, Caba, in La Union was damaged by a landslide.

In CAR, the Umpugong Section of Kabayan-Buguias-Abatan Road in Benguet has been closed, while Halsema highway along La Trinidad suffers an eroded shoulder and is only open on one lane for light vehicles.

The NDRRMC has also reported two casualties—both of whom have died in separate drowning incidents. — ELR, GMA News

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/269940/news/regions/ndrrmc-dee...

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Philippines:

'Helen' leaves 7 dead, 2 missing

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE) – Tropical storm “Helen” has left at least seven people dead, mostly due to drowning, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Wednesday.

The fatalities were identified as:

Jonaphe Pandosen, 50, Baguio City
Ekmer Domines, 42, Baguio City
Fernando Dingayen, 49, Apayao

Savino Mosquite, 44, La Union
Princess Jamon, 1, Ilocos Norte
Armando Borbon, 37, Pangasinan
Andrew Batara, 47, Ilocos Norte

Disaster management officials also said two others, identified as Rodolfo Tayas and Winifredo Tojon of Camarines Norte, remain missing.

The storm battered northern Luzon with heavy winds and rains, triggering floods and landslides in La Union, Isabela, Cagayan and Benguet.

It came a week after monsoon rains and floods killed more than 100 people in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

NDRRMC said the storm has affected a total of 5,040 families or 20,807 persons in Regions 1, 3 and Cordilleral Administrative Region (CAR).

More than 2,500 families are now taking shelter in 19 evacuation centers.

Helen's track

State weather bureau PAGASA said “Helen” has accelerated and is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Thursday morning.

PAGASA said the storm was spotted 190 kilometers west northwest of Laoag City as of 10 p.m.

It was packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph.

Storm signal no. 1 remains hoisted over the following areas:

Batanes group of islands
Cagayan
Calayan group of islands

Babuyan group of islands
Ilocos Norte
Ilocos Sur

Kalinga
Apayao
Benguet

La Union
Abra
Mt. Province
Ifugao

PAGASA also warned that although the storm is moving away from the country, it will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring rains over the rest of Luzon and Visayas.

The weather bureau added that heavy to intense rainfall is expected within the storm’s 500-km radius. -- With reports from Jenny Reyes, ABS-CBN News; ANC

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/08/15/12/helen-leaves-7-d...

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Floods in Bay, Laguna show no signs of receding

Floods in Bay, Laguna may last until December, officials warned.

Bay, a coastal town facing Laguna Lake, continues to suffer from rising floods even has rains have already stopped.

After a week since monsoon rains battered parts of Luzon, the province is facing yet another threat of flooding from tropical storm "Helen".

Officials said saturated soil and the high tide are factors that keep the flood water from quickly receding.

At least 2,000 families fled their homes and are now staying in schools.

Classes are held in shifting schedules to accommodate the students. - Umagang Kay Ganda, August 14 2012

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/nation/regions/08/14/12/floods-bay...

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New tropical storm hits the Philippines

A new tropical storm lashed the Philippines’ Luzon Island on Wednesday, causing floods and landslides in the island’s north-eastern areas.

At least four cities were affected by Tropical Storm Kai-Tak, with transport traffic disrupted there earlier in the day.

The capital Manila and surrounding areas are still reeling from devastating floods that have killed 92 people in the past couple of weeks. More than 3 million more were displaced.

http://english.ruvr.ru/2012_08_15/New-tropical-storm-hits-the-Phili...

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