As of Sunday, the number of deaths due to Typhoon Ulysses (Vamco) in Philippines has been 67, with 21 injuries and 12 missing.

Typhoon Ulysses (Vamco) made its first landfall in the Philippines near midnight in the Quezon province.

The typhoon brought heavy rains in Central Luzon, and the nearby provinces, including Metro Manila, the national capital.

Heavy rains caused by the typhoon overflowed rivers, causing severe flooding in Marikina. As the typhoon crossed the country, dams from all around Luzon neared their spilling points, forcing the dams to release large amounts of water into their impounds.

As the Magat Dam approached its spilling point, all seven of its gates were opened to prevent dam failure, which overflowed the Cagayan River and caused widespread floods in Cagayan and Isabela. Days after the typhoon had passed the Philippines, rescue operations in the Cagayan Valley were still ongoing due to the unexpected extent of the flooding.

In his recent message to the nation, President Duterte gave his assurance that the administration is in full swing as it conducts recovery operations and relief assistance to the badly affected areas of recent typhoons, and emphasizes that government assets are being utilized in undertaking rehabilitation efforts. (ILKHA)