Reported death toll from shear line rains, floods now 51 —NDRRMC

The number of reported fatalities due to rains and floods caused by the shear line since the Christmas weekend further rose to 51, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Monday.

“As of this 6 a.m., ikinalulungkot po namin na tumuntong na po sa 51 ang bilang ng ating mga namatay [we are sad to inform you that the number of fatalities has reached 51],” Office of Civil Defence Joint Information Office head Diego Agustin Mariano said on Unang Balita.

In its 6 a.m. report, the NDRRMC said 25 of the fatalities were reported in Northern Mindanao, nine in Bicol, five in Eastern Visayas, four each in Zamboanga and Davao, three in Caraga, and one in Mimaropa.

Only 13 of the reported fatalities have been confirmed so far, according to the NDRRMC.

Meanwhile, 19 people were reported missing, including 10 in Eastern Visayas, seven in Bicol, and one each in Western Visayas and Zamboanga. Sixteen people were also reported injured due to the impact of the shear line.

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

A total of 595,693 individuals or 149,957 families were affected in 966 barangays in Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga, Northern Mindanao, Davao, Caraga, and Bangsamoro.

Of the affected population, 8,666 people or 2,811 families were staying in 78 evacuation centers, while 41,343 people or 11,003 families were taking shelter in other places.

A total of 4,540 houses were reported damaged — 3,704 partially and 836 totally, the NDRRMC said.

Damage to infrastructure worth P1.137 billion and to agriculture worth P243.029 million were reported due to the rains and floods. The National Irrigation Administration also reported over P2 million of damage.

A total of 22 cities and municipalities were placed under state of calamity, including Brooke's Point in Palawan, Llorente in Eastern Samar, Dapitan and Polanco in Zamboanga del Norte, Gingoog in Misamis Oriental, and the entire province of Misamis Occidental.

Assistance worth P48,489,402.87 was provided to the victims, the NDRRMC said.

Mariano said the OCD and the NDRRMC are prepared in case a tropical cyclone would hit the country this January. Local disaster risk reduction and management offices and rescue teams are on standby, he said. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News