'Lawin' leaves Cordillera in the dark

File photo | By Artemio Dumlao via Philstar

           

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines –  The highland Cordillera region is in the dark as power went out in most of the region Wednesday night because of electric posts and trees toppled by Typhoon Lawin.

 

At least 20 electric posts went down in Baguio City, also bringing down telephone and cable TV wires. The Benguet Electric Cooperative is not sure when power will be restored around Baguio because of the amount of work to be done.

 

Most of communication lines went out Wednesday night even as mobile phone service became erratic.

 

At least four people were reported killed in the whole region, the Office of Civil Defense said.

 

Sixteen-year-old Junior Chawagan and 17-year-old Jeramel Alfaro were killed in a landslide in Hungduan town in Ifugao, while 40-year-old Edgar Genese and 35-year-old Jonie Borja were buried in mud and rocks in Puguis, La Trinidad, Benguet.

 

Larry Duyapat remains missing in Hungduan, Ifugao after he was swept away by the strong river current.

 

Ivy Carasi, OCD-Cordillera spokesperson, said the death toll could rise upon official confirmation.

 

Around 3,197 families or 9,132 individuals have been brought to safer ground since Thursday as the super howler brought very heavy rains and very strong winds Wednesday midnight.

 

At least 37 national, provincial and municipal road networks around the highland region remains unpassable as of Thursday afternoon because of rock, boulder, and landslides.

 

Kennon Road has been shut down anew for motorists while the Naguillan and Marcos highways remain passable.