Typhoon Betty affects nearly 15,000 Filipinos - NDRRMC

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 31) – Almost 15,000 Filipinos have so far been affected as Typhoon Betty continued to move slowly over the sea east of Batanes, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

In its latest report on Wednesday, the NDRRMC said Betty has affected 14,908 individuals (3,821 families) in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Mimaropa, and Western Visayas.

Of that number, the agency said 5,981 persons were pre-emptively evacuated.

A total of six regions, 13 provinces, 30 municipalities, and 94 barangays were affected, it added.

One hundred fourteen flights and 72 sea ports were also affected as the typhoon entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

Damage to infrastructure is pegged at ₱68,695.

Meanwhile, the government has distributed nearly ₱2 million worth of assistance for the affected population.

The NDRRMC has not reported any deaths or injuries.

But the disaster officials in Occidental Mindoro said a fisherman from the town of Abra de Ilog was killed after being struck by lightning. Another individual from the town of San Jose was also hit by lightning but survived.

The NDRRMC has yet to validate the local reports.

According to its 5 p.m. bulletin on Wednesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Betty is seen to weaken over the next five days and may be downgraded into a severe tropical storm by Wednesday night.

READ: 'Betty' weakens as it continues to move slowly east of Batanes

The state weather bureau added that the typhoon is expected to exit PAR Thursday afternoon or evening.

CNN Philippines' correspondent Daniza Fernandez contributed to this report.