Typhoon Nina (Nock-ten) left at least 6 people dead and 19 others missing, the government said in an update on Tuesday, December 27.
In the worst incident, the MV Starlight Atlantic ferry sank off the coastal province of Batangas, killing one and leaving 19 crewmen missing, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.
Electricity went out in at least five provinces, as seven power lines had tripped since Christmas Day, Philippine Star wrote.
Close to 400,000 people fled their homes and sought refuge in emergency shelters, mostly public school buildings. Thousands were rendered homeless.
As of 4 p.m. yesterday, Nina’s eye was spotted at 75 kilometers southwest of Subic, Olongapo, with maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 180 kph.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) was expected to lift all tropical cyclone warning signals last night. Nina is expected to exit the country by Wednesday morning. No weather disturbance is seen to follow Nina, the agency said.
President Duterte is awaiting the weather authorities’ go-signal for him to visit areas hit by the typhoon.
“The President wants to really go to the affected areas, but authorities prevented him from going straight there, unless the weather is clear and would be safe for him to travel,” a source told Philippine Star.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the storm sank RoRo vessel Starlite Atlantic Ferry in Batangas waters yesterday, leaving eight crew missing, while 14 others were rescued.
