This is the final bulletin on Typhoon Conson. It is being issued for information only, and reflects the action of Philippine Red Cross (PRC) to date. Following consultation with concerned chapters, the PRC national headquarters has determined that external assistance from donors is not presently required.
Typhoon Conson hit Philippines on the night of 13 July 2010 and moved out of Philippines' area of responsibility on 15 July 2010. By then, it had weakened into a tropical storm. Latest official figures indicate that over 53,000 families were affected across 12 provinces and three cities of the National Capital Region. Most of these families have returned to their respective homes as floodwaters subsided. Some 460 families remain in 15 evacuation centres. After determining the nature of needs on the ground, through rapid assessments, five chapters of PRC mobilized and distributed relief items. Plans are underway for the Laguna chapter to collaborate with local authorities to supply/distribute water in Luisiana Municipality.
The Situation
Typhoon Conson (local name, Basyang) hit the Philippines on the night of Tuesday, 13 July 2010, with winds of up to 120 km per hour. It swept across the National Capital Region as well as parts of Luzon, leaving a trail of destruction, displacing hundreds of families and causing tens of casualties. The typhoon weakened into a tropical storm as it moved out of the Philippines' area of responsibility on Thursday, 15 July 2010, blowing into the South China Sea with sustained winds of approximately 85 kph.
According to the national disaster coordinating council (NDCC), the effects of Conson - which is the first typhoon to cross Philippine's land this season - have left 79 people dead, 31 injured and 74 missing. Some 3,700 houses were destroyed and 27,800 damaged. Around 70 schools were damaged while agricultural production has been affected in seven provinces. It is estimated that 1,300 hectares of rice (299 metric tonnes) were completely damaged, 87 hectares of corn (17 metric tonnes) lost, 690 hectares of assorted vegetables and fruit lost, and fisheries affected due to loss of fishing gear. However, access was not significantly hampered as major roads and bridges in all affected provinces are passable.
In total, some 53,500 families were affected across 12 provinces [Aurora, Bataan, Batangas, Bulacan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Cavite, Laguna, Pampanga, Quezon and Rizal] and three cities of the National Capital Region [Manila, Muntinlupa and Pateros]. This figure includes families evacuated pre-emptively. Most have returned to their homes as floodwaters subsided. Initially, some 2,500 families were sheltered in 67 evacuation centres; but as of 21 July, most have returned to their homes with 462 families still remaining in 15 evacuation centres.
