7 dead, 1 missing due to flash flood in Misamis Occidental — Gov Oaminal

Seven people were reported dead and one was missing in Misamis Occidental after heavy rains caused a flash flood in the province, Governor Henry Oaminal said Monday afternoon.

"Actually, pito na 'yung casualty natin dito sa [Misamis Occidental]," Oaminal said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

"Pito. 'Yung ano na confirmed dead," he reiterated when asked to clarify.

Oaminal also confirmed that rescuers are still looking for one missing person in the province.

Earlier in the day, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council's (NDRRMC) report showed that six fatalities were recorded, four in Misamis Occidental and two in Camarines Sur in Bicol. At least 19 were reported missing.

The governor said the estimated number of affected families is at 10,000 and they have already evacuated most of the residents.

Food packs and cooked meals were also distributed to the families who are currently in the evacuation centers, he added.

Oaminal said so far they have 25,000 food packs and the second district of the province has another 15,000 reserved food packs.

He added they asked nearby provinces to send bottled waters for the evacuees.

"Kaya pa naman [magbigay ng provincial government] as of the moment. I believe after this ma-assess namin 'yung damage to property, damage to infrastructure, damage to agricultural sector. So i-consolidate namin ito then kung ano 'yung di namin kaya, 'yun 'yung gawan natin ng representation to the President for whatever support na maibigay sa probinsya ko," Oaminal said.

(The provincial government can still provide the needs of the people as of the moment. I believe after this, we will assess the damage to property, damage to infrastructure, damage to agricultural sector. So we will consolidate the data and whatever we cannot provide, we will make a representation to the President for whatever support they can give to my province.)

Further, Oaminal said they are having a hard time in terms of coordination due to power supply issues and weak signal.

On Sunday, at least two casualties were reported in Misamis Occidental due to flash floods caused by heavy rains brought about by the northeast monsoon or Amihan along with the damage to a nearby dike.

Neck-high floods were reported in the Tudela area, where only the roofs of residential properties were left visible.

Initial damage

Meanwhile, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said the initial estimated damage to agriculture is now at P52, 729,614. Most of the damage was monitored in Region 5 where the flood destroyed irrigation and plants.

For the infrastructure sector, the OCD said it received reports that the damage  stands at P5,280,000, of which P280,000 were recorded in Region 10.

OCD joint information head Diego Mariano said the total economic damage would depend if the shear line would continue to trigger serious rains in the affected regions.

"‘Yung mga reports ay pumpasok pa rin as we speak lalo na kung tuloy tuloy pa rin ang pananalasa nitong shear line. More or less mayroon pa ring reports diyan either madagdagan or mabawasan," he said in an interview over GTV's Balitanghali.

(The reports are continuously coming in as we speak. More or less there will be additional updates. The figure may increase or decrease depending on it.)—Sundy Locus/AOL, GMA Integrated News