Deaths in Mindanao floods, landslides now 17 —PNP

The number of fatalities due to the flooding and landslide incidents in Mindanao has increased to 17, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday.

“As of now, we have recorded 17 deaths and the injury of four. May mga nawawala rin, mga eight personalities (there were also eight people missing),” PNP chief Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr. said in a press briefing.

In Davao de Oro, 12 people were reported dead while three were still missing, the provincial government’s public information office told GMA News Online on Monday. Twelve persons were also injured, it added.

According to Acorda, 1,471 police personnel have been deployed to help the victims of the flooding and landslide incidents in Davao Region.

At least 33 people have been rescued by the police, Acorda said.

A total of 812,638 people or 214,132 families were affected by the Northeast Monsoon or amihan and the trough of a low pressure area (LPA).

The affected regions were Northern Mindanao, Davao, Soccsksargen, Caraga, and Bangsamoro.

Of the affected population, 85,285 people or 22,573 families were staying inside 331 evacuation centers while 312,873 people or 92,898 families were taking shelter in other places.

Damage to infrastructure worth P2.61 million was reported in Davao and Caraga.

A state of calamity was declared in Agusan del Sur on January 31.

Classes in 113 areas as well as work in 34 areas were suspended due to the bad weather, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

In Datu Montawal, Maguindanao del Sur, residents had to use a rope while crossing floodwaters after the Agusan River overflowed its banks, Jhomer Apresto reported on Unang Balita on Monday.

In Veruela, Agusan del Sur, a man still managed to sing via a videoke in the middle of the flood. The houses and fields in Talacogon town were submerged in flood. In San Luis, affected residents were using boats to move around the area.

Meanwhile in Kapalong, Davao del Sur, four relatives were killed in a landslide.

“On 28 January 2024, the Northeast Monsoon and the Trough of the Low Pressure Area (LPA) affected Mindanao,” the NDRRMC said.

"The trough of the LPA continued to bring light to heavy rains until 02 February 2024. This resulted in flooding and landslide incidents in some areas in Mindanao. On 03 February 2024, 11:00 AM, the Low Pressure Area (LPA) has dissipated,” the NDRRMC said. —KG, GMA Integrated News