Effect of tropical storm Mawar minimal in Philippines
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E-mail Xinhua, June 4, 2012
The Philippine National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Sunday that the effect of the country's first weather disturbance, tropical storm Mawar, was minimal though it continue to pose risk of more rain showers.
NDRRMC executive director and concurrent Office of Civil Defense administrators Benito Ramos said Mawar has left 16 people injured while five others, including a young boy, are subject to search and rescue operations as they are reported still missing.
Also, Ramos said Mawar has caused about 1,200 passengers to be stranded in various ports in Bicol region and in Southern Tagalog due to the temporary suspension of operation of passenger boats.
The five missing includes seven-year-old Richard Atulan who was swept by water after falling into the Cainta River in Cainta, Rizal. Ramos said local search and rescue groups are conducting operations for the victim. The other four missing people were on fishing in different coastal regions.
Thirty other fishermen, earlier reported missing after going on fishing in Baras of Catanduanes aboard FB Crismar, were later rescued by a search and rescue team organized by local officials.
Packing a maximum sustained winds of 105 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 135 kph, Mawar is slowly moving north northeast. It is projected to be at 380 km east of Basco, Batanes and on the following day, it will be 610 kms northeast of Basco.
Asked to assess the effect of Mawar, Ramos said "Its minimal. It actually did not make a landfall. Its effects are minimal. It will be out of the country's area of responsibility on Tuesday. Tomorrow, it is expected to be about 300 kms east of Basco, Batanes though we expect monsoon rains."
