Severe Tropical Storm Opong prompts evacuation of 430,000 in 3 regions

Severe Tropical Storm Opong has caused the preemptive evacuation of approximately 430,000 individuals across the Bicol, Eastern Visayas, and Mimaropa regions.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that the evacuees constitute about 120,888 families.

In the Bicol region alone, the Coast Guard District Bicol led the evacuation of over 215,000 individuals.

More than 480 CGDBCL personnel have been deployed across Bicol's provinces to support ongoing search and rescue missions, distribute aid, and ensure affected communities get the help they need.

Sea travel was also affected, with 3,126 individuals, 1,266 rolling cargoes, and six vessels reported stranded, while 67 vessels and 34 motorbancas were forced to take shelter.

In Cebu province, Governor Pamela Baricuatro quickly mobilized aid, sending 2,000 initial food packs to areas impacted by Opong.

As of Friday, 307 flooding incidents have been documented nationwide, and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) is investigating reports of four fatalities in Bicol and six missing persons in Eastern Visayas attributed to Opong's effects.