LAOAG CITY — Typhoon Mario (international codename: Fung-Wong) pummeled Ilocos Norte from Friday night throughout Sunday noon and caused widespread flooding, submerged roads and agricultural crops and affected thousands of families.
Mario, enhanced by the southwest monsoon, brought from heavy to intense rains for more than 16 hours and howling winds that toppled electric lines which caused a total power shutdown in all 21 Ilocos Norte towns and two cities.
As of Saturday, the province was placed under a state of calamity.
A Philippine Air Force C-130 aircraft flew in at the Laoag International Airport on Sunday night carrying over 3,000 packs of relief goods from the national DSWD headquarters for distribution to calamity victims in the province.
The provincial government estimated initial damages worth P1.5 billion in agriculture crops, infrastructure projects and other properties in Ilocos Norte.
The disaster risk reduction and management council identified Maria Corpuz of Barangay Casili, Laoag City as the lone storm-related casualty while three people were injured in the towns of Currimao, Badoc and Bangui.
Local power distributor Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC) reported heavy damages on primary and lateral lines, hence, it sent the province including Laoag City in total darkness.
A total of 161 families were relocated in evacuation centers on Saturday including residents in Sitio Narvaan, Barangay Catagtaguen in Banna town due to flash floods.
The evacuees have returned to their homes on Sunday. (MCA/CDG,PIA-1,Ilocos Norte)
