20 reported dead, 6 injured, 1 missing due to Agaton —NDRRMC

The reported death toll due to the onslaught of Tropical Depression Agaton has climbed to 20 as of Tuesday morning, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.

In its 8 a.m. report, the NDRRMC added that 14 of the fatalities were reported in Eastern Visayas, three in Central Visayas, and another three in the Davao Region.

In a message to reporters, the NDRRMC said 14 of the reported fatalities are from Baybay City, Leyte where landslides occurred; three from Negros Oriental; two from Monkayo, Davao de Oro; and one in Cateel, Davao Oriental.

“Mino-monitor po natin 'yung development ng search and rescue operations na nangyayari diyan sa Baybay, Leyte matapos po ang ilang mga landslide na naganap,” NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Timbal said in an interview on GMA News’ Unang Balita.

(We are monitoring the development of the search and rescue operations in several landslides in Baybay, Leyte.)

“As of the initial information na na-receive natin, meron po tayong 14 na kababayan na napaulat na nadisgrasya at nasawi dahil sa landslide na 'yan,” he added.

(As of the initial information we received, we have 14 reported deaths due to landslides.)

However, Timbal noted that the count was not official as they are still waiting for the official documentation on the search and rescue operations in Baybay.

Baybay City police chief Police Colonel Jomen Collado on Monday said at least 20 people were killed in a landslide unleashed in Baybay City, Leyte by persistent heavy rainfall brought by Agaton.

Missing, injured

One person was reported missing in Monkayo, Davao de Oro, the NDRRMC said.

Six were confirmed injured — two in Northern Mindanao (Region 10) and four in Soccsksargen (Region 12).

Over 95K families affected

A total of 139,146 people or 95,741 families were affected by Agaton in 274 barangays in Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao, Soccsksargen, Caraga, and Bangsamoro, the NDRRMC said.

It added that a total of 91 houses were damaged—84 partially and seven totally—in Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen, and Caraga.

Damage to agriculture reached P874,000 in Soccsksargen and Bangsamoro, while P250,000 worth of damage in infrastructure was reported in Central Visayas and Northern Mindanao.

The NDRRMC said 286 flooding incidents, 15 landslides, six flash floods, three maritime incidents, and an overflowing river were reported due to Agaton.

At least 37 roads and five bridges were not passable.

The NDRRMC reported a total of 64 cities and municipalities that experienced power interruption, of which five have been restored.

Two areas also experienced water supply interruptions.

Thirty-nine ports suspended trips or have implemented suspension of operations. A total of 6,103 passengers; 1,710 rolling cargoes; 10 vessels; and a motor banca remained stranded in some affected regions.

According to the NDRRMC, 109 classes and 72 work schedules have been suspended due to Agaton.

One area declared a state of calamity due to Agaton, the NDRRMC said. On Sunday, Mayor Mike Rama declared a state of calamity in Cebu City due to persistent heavy rainfall.

As of 7 a.m. Tuesday, state weather bureau PAGASA said the center of Agaton was estimated at 11.2°N, 125.2°E in the vicinity of Marabut, Samar, packing maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 75 km/h, and central pressure of 1000 hPa.

PAGASA said Agaton, which is moving slowly eastward, has strong winds or higher that extend outwards up to 150 km from the center.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 remained hoisted over nine areas in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao as of Tuesday morning. —KG, GMA News