10 dead due to effects of low pressure area —OCD

Ten individuals reportedly died due to the effects of the low pressure area that has been affecting the country since January 2, data from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Joint Information Center showed Wednesday.

Based on its recent disaster media bulletin, the OCD said it removed one fatality in Capiz from the list of 11 reported deaths on Tuesday as his/her cause of death was due to localized thunderstorms on December 31, 2022, and not because of the LPA.

So far, a total of 291,826 people or 69,308 families were affected by the LPA in Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, and the Bangsamoro Region.

Of them, 3,224 individuals or 784 families were displaced.

Four individuals were also reportedly injured.

A total of P11,931,324 worth of assistance were already provided to affected individuals of the inclement weather, according to the OCD.

The OCD also recorded a P153,066,260 worth of damage in infrastructures, and P111,738,324.31 worth of damage in the agriculture sector.

As of January 11, only Tubod, Lanao del Norte has declared a state of calamity.

Meanwhile, two areas reported communication interruption, one has power interruption, and three have water interruption.

The LPA has also caused damage to 487 houses.

Nine roads and three bridges are also currently impassable to all types of vehicles.

The OCD said its regional office and local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMOs) are also continuously coordinating and monitoring the situation, and search and rescue teams have been deployed for possible additional casualties.

Flooded areas

Heavy rains due to the LPA poured overnight and flooded low-lying areas in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, according to a report of GMA Regional TV One Mindanao and included in the report of Darlene Cay on Unang Balita on Wednesday.

Rescuers brought residents of Barangay Libertad to an elementary school which served as evacuation center.

Authorities are monitoring the situation in 21 flood-prone barangays and two landslide-prone barangays.

Meanwhile, in Aloran, Misamis Occidental, flooding was reported in some roads and houses.

The 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company is monitoring if residents need to be evacuated.

In Koronadal City, South Cotabato meanwhile, motorists had to deal with poor visibility and flooded roads.

In Barangay Quezon, Catarman, Northern Samar, a power outage and flooding were reported.

No one was reported injured but around 200families were affected.

PAGASA said in its weather forecast on Wednesday that an LPA located east of Surigao del Sur and the shear line will cause rain showers over several areas within the day.

The shear line, meanwhile, will affect the eastern sections of Southern Luzon and Visayas. —KG, GMA Integrated News