A tornado or “buhawi” tore through Narra town Saturday afternoon, damaging at least six houses and several commercial establishments.
Narra risk reduction and management officer Raymund dela Rosa told Palawan News on Sunday they are still clearing the debris caused by the tornado and assessing its damage.
He said at least one house owned by a certain Alberto Juliano in Hacienda, Barangay Antipuluan was seriously damaged when an uprooted mango tree fell on top of it.
He said the tornado was likely caused by the enhanced southwest monsoon or habagat.
“As of now, hindi pa natin naco-consolidate ‘yong data kasi marami pa rin ang nagpapa-request ng clearing pero sa ngayon more or less anim na affected families pero hindi naman grabe ‘yong damage. Katulad ng dito sa may highway kung makikita naman natin, na-damage ‘yong bubong ‘yong iba naman natamaan ng puno ang bahay nila. Pero again partial naman hindi naman grabe ‘yong damage,” he said.
Dela Rosa said no one was reported injured. However, he said they are verifying a report that a shuttle van passenger was hurt.
Dela Rosa also said that based on reports, the tornado descended from the mountain, hitting Upper Lapu-Lapu before going through the Palawan State University-NCCRD Narra campus. It then hit the Municipal Police Station and also Barangay Malatgao.
He added that the tornado also brought rains that lasted only for 30 minutes.
Mayor Gerandy Danao also helped in the clearing operations with personnel from the different units of the municipal government.
Meanwhile, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) chief Jerry Alili said they are also waiting for the official report of the Narra MDRMMO.
Support to the affected families, he said, will also come from the MDRRMO.
