Philippines, Effect of Typhoon Melor (Nona)

The Typhoon ‘Melor’ or local name ‘Nona’ entered the Philippines Area of Responsibilities (PAR) in the morning of 12 December 2015. It made several landfalls on 14 – 15 December 2015 with sustained wind peaking up to 160 kph. On 19 December, the typhoon was gradually weaken and dissipate. IMPACT - As of 21 December 2015, the Philippine’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported 40 people have died and more than 199,854 houses are damaged. So far, 362,753 people were served inside and outside evacuation centres in five affected regions in the central part of the Philippines - Based on the most recent information from NDRRMC (Situation Report No 16, 21 December 2015), the Typhoon have claimed 40 lives and 199,854 houses were destroyed. There are 362,753 people were served inside and outside evacuation centres in Regions III, IV-A, IV-B, V and VIII. - Three days after the typhoon dissipated, flooding are still reported in in Regions I, III, IV-B and NCR. Floodings were reported in 425 areas where 150 of them are already subsided. An estimation cost of damage to infrastructure and agriculture from the typhoon, amounted to PHP 4,967,229,199 (USD 64 million) - Four (4) cities and 16 municipalities are still experiencing power interruption. Communication network in most of affected areas are fully restored, but still limited in some areas. A total of 31 roads and 19 bridges are still not passable in Region II, II, IV-A, IV-B, V, VIII and CAR. RESPONSE - The government of the Philippines has made important preparedness effort in responding the typhoon and to minimize the potential impact. Series of Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) Meeting was conducted to coordinate preparedness effort. Prior to the landfall, at least 742,000 people were evacuated to safer places. Relief items as well as personnel were prepositioned to the affected region - The response cluster has been activated since 14 December 2015 to monitor and act accordingly on identified needs and resources for response operations. Food and non-food items have been distributed to the affected areas. A total of PHP 44,955,026 (USD 950,000) worth of relief assistance was provided to the affected regions. - After five provinces declared status of calamity, H.E. President Benigno Aquino III also declared a State of National Calamity through proclamation No. 1186 on 18 December 2015, In order to ensure continuous delivery of response and recovery services to community.