Six dead, one missing in Philippines storms
Saturday, 11 August 2007
MANILA, Aug 10 (AFP): Storms in the northern Philippines have left six people dead, with another missing, after triggering landslides and floods, the civil defence office said Friday.
Seven other people were hurt and nearly 12,000 people fled their homes to escape the heavy rain and high wind induced by tropical storms Pabuk and Wutip earlier this week.
The rains somewhat eased the dry spell conditions on the west side of the main island of Luzon that have been suffering from lower than average rainfall over the past two months, said Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap.
However, the situation remained "touch and go" because the eastern half of the island remained parched, Yap said over local radio.
The agriculture department has warned that crop yields would suffer this year because the dry spell had delayed planting.
Yap said Friday it would make the delayed harvests vulnerable to typhoons that normally hit the country in the latter part of the year.
Seven other people were hurt and nearly 12,000 people fled their homes to escape the heavy rain and high wind induced by tropical storms Pabuk and Wutip earlier this week.
The rains somewhat eased the dry spell conditions on the west side of the main island of Luzon that have been suffering from lower than average rainfall over the past two months, said Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap.
However, the situation remained "touch and go" because the eastern half of the island remained parched, Yap said over local radio.
The agriculture department has warned that crop yields would suffer this year because the dry spell had delayed planting.
Yap said Friday it would make the delayed harvests vulnerable to typhoons that normally hit the country in the latter part of the year.