More than 1 million affected by shear line, LPA, says NDRRMC

A total of 1,003,271 individuals have now been affected by the combined effects of the shear line and low pressure area (LPA) in the country, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Sunday.

The latest situational report by the NDRRMC showed that the affected people were based in 1,452 barangays in the Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Caraga.

Of them, 48,411 individuals or 17,671 families were placed in 156 evacuation centers, while 32,699 people or 9,357 families sought temporary shelters outside of evacuation centers.

Two people from Eastern Visayas also reportedly died due to the effects of the weather disturbances, while one was injured.

The shear line and LPA also damaged 270 houses — 225 of which were partially damaged, while 45 were totally damaged.

Damage and losses to agriculture, on the other hand, stood at P119,897,021.

The bad weather also resulted in 163 flooded areas and 21 rain-induced landslides.

Seventeen roads and three bridges also remained impassable, and some areas still suffer power, water, and communication interruptions.

Classes were suspended in 180 cities and municipalities, while 32 implemented work suspensions.

The NDRRMC said a total of P65,301,144 worth of assistance has been provided in Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, and Eastern Visayas.

This consisted of financial aid, family food packs, hygiene kits, blankets, and other sleeping kits, among others.

Northern Samar has been placed under a state of calamity following floods from rains due to the shear line.

A state of calamity was also raised in Eastern Samar, according to Office of Civil Defense (OCD) spokesperson Edgar Posadas.

“Sa kasalukuyan naman, aside sa ibinibigay ng ating mga regional resources, itinutulong doon sa mga LGUs, wala pa kaming natatanggap na major requests dito sa national. Ibig sabihin, kaya pa nila,” he said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.

(Right now, aside from the resources provided in the regions to help the LGUs, we have not yet received any major requests at the national level. That means, they can still provide for themselves.)

Over 24,000 Northern Samar families were evacuated due to massive flooding, according to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) on Tuesday.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Thursday ordered concerned agencies to speed up the relief operations for flood victims in Northern and Eastern Samar, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

Meanwhile, parts of Quezon were flooded on Saturday after heavy rains due to the shear line poured overnight.

The flooded areas were in the towns of Tagkawayan, Calauag, Lopez, Gumaca, Plaridel and Atimonan. —KG, GMA Integrated News