22 dead in Negros Oriental, 2 in Dumaguete due to Typhoon Odette

Twenty-two people in Negros Oriental and two in Dumaguete City died due to the onslaught of Typhoon Odette.

Of the 22 fatalities in Negros Oriental, 15 were from Bais City, according to a report on News Live on GMA News TV on Sunday.

Among the fatalities was a baby who fell from the arms of parents while they were hastily evacuating amid rising floodwaters.

Thousands lost homes and many livelihood were lost in Bais City.

The local government already declared a state of calamity in Bais City.

Meanwhile, in Dumaguete City, two people died due to falling debris.

One of the fatalities was a woman who was pinned to death after a tree fell onto their house.

The other fatality was a man who was also pinned down by a wall while he was asleep inside a church, police said.

In Surigao City meanwhile, residents are appealing for drinking water and food.

The area could not be immediately reached and communication lines and power lines are still down.

In one house which had a deep well, residents fell in line to get drinking water.

Despite the hardship, many still went to church to attend Simbang Gabi, the dawn mass.

The church was also partially destroyed by Typhoon Odette's winds. The mass was held with the use of flashlights and candles.

Residents prayed they would be able to rise from the tragedy brought about by the typhoon.

Typhoon Odette barreled through parts of Visayas and Mindanao on Thursday and Friday, leaving widespread devastation in its wake. —KG, GMA News