TYPHOON “Ompong” claimed the lives of five people as it tore through northern Luzon on Saturday, authorities said. “As we go forward, this number will go higher,” NDRRMC Executive Director Ricardo Jalad said, citing unverified reports of casualties during Typhoon Ompong. Ompong was expected to leave the country past 8 p.m. on Saturday, barreling toward densely populated Hong Kong and southern China. As of 3 p.m. on Saturday, reservoir water levels significantly went up in Ipo Dam, Ambuklao Dam, Binga Dam, and Magat Dam. Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba pleaded for help from the national government after Typhoon Ompong made landfall in the municipality of Baggao.

Source: Manila Times September 15, 2018 17:15 UTC