TROPICAL storm “Jolina” has left 14 dead and 20 injured, authorities yesterday said.

The Office of Civil Defense – Eastern Visayas said of the total number of fatalities, nine were from Daram and Tarangnan, Samar; Culaba, Biliran; and Tacloban City, Leyte.

Most of the fatalities were fishermen who drowned at sea.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council spokesperson Mark Timbal said they are confirming the death of the 14.

He said five of the 12 missing fishermen in Catbalogan Samar were rescued.

Three more fishermen were reported missing in Culuba, Biliran and one in San Andres, Quezon.

Twenty people were reported injured.

Also missing are a 65-year-old man in Catbalogan City, Samar, and a 42-year-old man from Culaba, Biliran.

In Masbate, fatalities rose to three as authorities found a 3-year-old boy earlier reported as missing.

In Batangas, a gardener died in a landslide amid heavy downpour.

The NDRRMC said at least 28,400 families or 109,680 persons were affected by “Jolina.”

The severe storm also damaged some 6,423 houses in Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Regions 5, 6, and Eastern Visayas.

According to the Department of Agriculture, “Jolina” has left some P299 million in damage to crops and fisheries.

CAGAYAN BRACES FOR “KIKO”

The local government of Cagayan yesterday said it is preparing for the worst as extreme northen Luzon was placed under signal no. 3 due to typhoon “KIko.”

We’re preparing for the worst, we’re used to super typhoons. We’ve had two super typhoons- Ompong and Lawin-.We’ve prepared,” Gov. Manuel Mamba told ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo.

Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services raised signal no. 3 over the extreme northeastern portion of Cagayan (Santa Ana) and eastern portion of Babuyan Islands.

Signal No. 2 was hoisted over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, the remaining eastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Aparri, Camalaniugan, Lal-Lo, Gattaran, Baggao, Peñablanca, Buguey, Santa Teresita, Gonzaga,) and the northeastern portion of Isabela (San Pablo, Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan.

In its 5 a.m. weather bulletin yesterday, PAGASA said Kiko was last located 280 kms. east northeast of Casiguran, Aurora, packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph.

“Kiko:” is moving west northwestward at 20 kph.