Reported death toll due to heavy rains, floods rises to 13 —NDRRMC

The number of fatalities due to the heavy rains and widespread floods in some parts of the Visayas and Mindanao during the Christmas weekend has increased to 13, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Tuesday.

In its 5 a.m. report, the NDRRMC said seven of the deaths were reported in Northern Mindanao, three in Bicol, two in Eastern Visayas, and one in Zamboanga.

“Ang datos po natin as of now, meron na po tayong 13 na namatay [Based on our data as of now, we have 13 fatalities],” Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Joint Information Center head Diego Agustin Mariano said in a televised public briefing.

Only two fatalities have been validated so far, according to the NDRRMC.

A total of 23 persons were reported missing including 12 in Eastern Visayas, eight in Bicol, and three in Northern Mindanao.

Mariano said most of the missing persons are fishermen and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is now conducting search and rescue operations in coastal areas.

“Ang ating kawani ng PCG ay patuloy ang search and rescue operation. Lalo na po kapag gumanda ang panahon, lalo na pong uusad ang operation dyan sa search and rescue ng nawawala,” he said.

(Our PCG personnel continue to conduct search and rescue operations and once the weather improves, the operation will progress more.)

The heavy rains and floods, which were caused by the shear line, also affected 166,357 people or 44,282 families in 385 barangays in Mimaropa, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga, Northern Mindanao, and Bangsamoro.

Meanwhile, a total of 45,337 individuals or 10,536 families were staying in evacuation centers.

At least 534 houses were reported damaged — 369 partially and 165 totally.

Damage in agriculture worth P59,829,614 and in infrastructure worth P14,580,000 were reported in Bicol and Northern Mindanao. The National Irrigation Administration also recorded P2,050,000 worth of damage.

Power supply issues were experienced in 56 cities and municipalities, of which 32 have been restored.

Water supply interruptions were also reported in four cities and municipalities. Of which, only one has been restored.

According to the NDRRMC, assistance worth P5,247,313.29 has been provided to the victims.

Several areas in Visayas and Mindanao were flooded on Christmas Day on Sunday due to the effects of the shear line, the weather system formed by the meeting between a cold front and a warmer front.

Gingoog, Misamis Oriental declared a state of calamity on Christmas Day.

Aside from Gingoog, the entire province of Misamis Occidental has been placed under a state of calamity, according to a report of GMA Regional TV One Mindanao’s Cyril Chaves on GMA News’ Unang Balita.

At least seven people were reported dead in the province, including two in Clarin, two in Sinacaban, two in Jimenez, and one in Tudela.

In Oroquieta City, the water under Talic bridge overflowed, making the bridge not passable to motorists.

The affected residents were reportedly surprised at how fast the flood rose and entered their home. Police personnel helped in rescuing the residents.

In Tudela, some motorists were stranded due to the flood.

The poultry of some residents were also washed out by the flood.

According to the report, the local government units advised residents not to go back to their homes yet because of the possibility of more heavy rains. —KBK, GMA Integrated News