Whirlwind hits villages in C Philippines

A whirlwind has struck four villages in central Philippine province of Bohol where over 70 families were affected, a senior government official said Saturday. National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Executive Director Benito Ramos said that a whirlwind hit the villages of Can-upao, Bunga Mar, Cantagay and Ipil in Jagna town at around 10:45 a.m. on Friday. The incident had caused an estimated damage of 1 million pesos (23,800 U.S. dollars) to the families affected, he said. According to the official, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and Jagna Emergency Medical Unit have conducted rescue and clearing operations, damage assessment and relief goods distribution in the areas affected.