"Basyang" claims 2 live in Cavite

A mother and her two-year-old daughter died while three others were reportedly injured when typhoon “Basyang” lashed Cavite for several hours, starting at midnight Wednesday.

The Cavite Police Provincial Office (CPPO) and Disaster Coordinating Council (DCC) reported that Basyang's winds and rains also uprooted trees and damaged several houses in some towns and cities of the province.

There was no electricity in Cavite starting since Wednesday midnight when "Basyang" was started to be felt in the area..

As of 12 noon Wednesday, authorities were still checking other casualties and damages that were caused by the howler.

Senior Supt. Danilo L. Maligalig, CPPO director, identified the fatalities as Myrna Alegre, 35, and her two-year-old daughter Jane Michelle, of 40 Piginto Street, Luciano, Trece Martires City.

Maligalig, citing a report of Cavite city police chief Supt. Danilo B. Buentipo, identified those injured as a certain Jose Alegre, 46, a Jose Rubinel, Jr., and one Richard Colenares.

Initial investigation showed that the Alegres died when a blown-off mango tree fell on the roof of their house, which was made of light materials.

The mother and daughter, who sustained head and body injuries, were declared dead on arrival at a nearby hospital. Police investigators said that the Alegres were asleep when  the tragedy came.

CPPO reports also said several families, particularly those living along river banks and low-lying areas in Cavite's ciies and provinces, were evacuated to safer grounds when “Basyang” struck the province.

A police official reported that said some 19 families living along Toll Bridge riverbank were evacuated to the CPPO grounds at Camp General Pantaleon Garcia in Imus town. The riverbank was just behind the CPPO headquarters.

All 19 towns and four cities of Cavite were affected by the typhoon. Tree branches, leaves, and piles of garbage were found strewn in all throughout province at sunrise.

Officials said that “Basyang” was the strongest typhoon to hit Cavite this year.

When super typhoon “Milenyo” hit the country in 2006, more than 40 people died in Cavite. “Ondoy,” which wreaked havoc last year, claimed the lives of at least 11 people in the province.

Source: MB