Reported death toll of Typhoon Odette now at 367 —NDRRMC

The number of reported human deaths due to Typhoon Odette continues to rise, reaching 367 as of Friday, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Saturday.

Forty-one fatalities were added in the latest death toll from 326 reported as of December 24.

In its latest report, the NDRRMC said that only 44 of the fatalities have so far been  confirmed, including those reported in Palawan, Negros Occidental, Iloilo, Guimaras, Bohol, Southern Leyte, Bukidnon, and Misamis Oriental.

Also, the disaster risk reduction agency cited drowning, falling trees and debris as leading causes of deaths.

On the other hand, a total of 62 people have remained missing, while 732 reported were injured due to the typhoon that cut a swathe of destruction in Central Philippines ang Mindanao. 

Odette impacted a total of 3,567,588 people or 918,877 families in 5,674 barangays.

The affected regions include Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga, Northern Mindanao, Davao, Soccsksargen, Caraga, and Bangsamoro.

A total of 596,599 were displaced by the typhoon, of which 319,043 persons or 74,145 were staying in 1,407 evacuation centers, while 277,556 individuals or 77,552 families were staying in the houses of their relatives and friends.

At least 371,188 houses were damaged (127,885 totally and 243,303 partially), with cost of destruction estimated at P29,209,218 .

The NDRRMC also estimated P3,999,252,642.04 in damage to infrastructure, and P2,090,445,262.13 in losses to agriculture.

Meanwhile, power has been restored to 150 of 269 cities and municipalities that experienced power outages and interruption due to the typhoon.

Four cities or municipalities experienced water supply interruption, of which one city has its water supply restored.

The NDRRMC said there are 371 areas in Mimaropa, Region 7, Region 8, Region 9, Region 10, Caraga, BARRM which are still experiencing communication problems, but 114 areas have already been restored.

All of the five airports in the affected areas are now operational. Of the 25 suspended domestic flights, eight have already resumed.

A total of 126 seaports had been non-operational due to the typhoon, of which 72 are already functioning. At least 1,353 passengers, 697 rolling cargoes, and four vessels were stranded.

At least 370 classes and 305 work schedules were suspended.

A total of 343 cities and municipalities were placed under state of calamity due to the impact of Odette, according to the NDRRMC. —LBG, GMA News