Typhoon death toll rises to 68 in Philippines

MANILA: -- The death toll from Typhoon Conson's onslaught in the Philippines rose to 68, with 84 people missing, the government's disaster relief agency said Sunday.

Rescuers were searching the eastern coast for dozens of fishermen who went missing when the storm hit Tuesday.

But rains from a new weather front were hampering the operations, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said.

The weather bureau said it did not expect the low pressure area off the Philippines' eastern coast to develop into a cyclone, but it warned of more rains.

The official death toll rose after rescuers found the bodies of three fishermen floating off Quezon province, one of the hardest hit areas, the NDCC said.

The council said most of the missing people were fishermen.

The storm destroyed more than 27,000 houses and caused damage to infrastructure, agriculture and fisheries worth more than 4 million dollars, the agency added.

-- The Nation 2010-07-18

Tropical Storm Conson Wreaks Havoc in Nan and Payao

Tropical storm Conson has caused heavy rains in Nan and Payao provinces with the Meteorological Department warning of possible flooding and more heavy rains in other areas.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-18

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Thailand's current weather and forecasts: http://weather.thaivisa.com/

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Meteorological Dept: Tropical storm Conson in Vietnam which downgraded to depression could trigger torrential rain and isolated heavy rainfalls nationwide /MCOT

Warning

"Typhoon “CONSON”"

No. 9 (59/2553) Time Issued : July 18, 2010

At 0300 UTC, tropical storm CONSON over upper Vietnam was downgraded to the depression, with sustained wind of 60 km/hr, moving northwest about 18 km/hr. The depression is expected to become a low pressure cell and to dissipate then.

This condition strengthens the prevailing southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand and also triggers torrential rain and isolated heavy rainfalls over the whole country. People along foothills and near waterways are warned of flash flood and water run-off across northern, northeastern and eastern region of the country during 18-19 July. Wind-wave over the Andaman Sea and the Upper Gulf becomes stronger. All ships should proceed with caution during 18-20 July.

Thai Meterological Department

Storm relief

By The Nation on Sunday

His Majesty the King yesterday granted relief bags to villagers affected by rainstorms in Prachuap Khiri Khan province's Muang district.

On behalf of His Majesty, Governor Veera Sriwatanatrakul and other representatives from local administrative organisa-tions provided 100 bags of aid to appreciative residents in tambon Aou Noi after the storm damaged 66 houses and 2,000 rai of farmland. About 100 vil-lagers had been affected.

The governor also gave affected residents money.

The area was declared a dis-aster zone after the storm hit early yesterday.

Police and soldiers helped residents clean up wreckage and repair damaged houses.

Disaster prevention and miti-gation officers provided tents for temporary cover while affected villagers wait for their homes to be repaired.

Veera said he told authori-ties and residents in other parts of the province to watch for more possible storms.

Ranong governor Wanchat Wongchaichana also urged resi-dents to keep alert for flash floods and forest runoff.

Was that part of the same system?