Death toll in Davao floods, landslides now 21 —disaster officials

The number of fatalities due to floods and landslides in Davao Region has increased to 21, according to provincial disaster risk reduction and management offices (PDRRMOs) on Tuesday.

At a press conference, Davao de Oro PDRRMO said 13 people were dead while nine people were injured in the province.  Of the 13 fatalities, four were reported each in New Bataan and Marasugan, two each in Pantukan and Monkayo, and one in Maco.

Two people were also missing in Davao de Oro, it said.

In Davao del Norte, eight fatalities were reported, according to the PDRRMO. Six of the fatalities in Davao del Norte were in Kapalong, one in Santo Tomas, and one in Asuncion.

One person was also missing in the province.

The number of individuals affected by the effects of the Northeast Monsoon or Amihan and the trough of a low pressure area has breached to over 1 million, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said in its latest report.

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

Of the affected population, 97,603 people or 25,477 families were staying in 380 evacuation centers while 697,454 people or 175,370 families were taking shelter in other places.

Damage to infrastructure, meanwhile, was at P54,967,000. A total of 785 houses were also damaged — 431 partially and 354 totally. 

Classes suspended in 115 areas as well as work in 35 areas.

State of calamity was declared in Agusan del Sur.

Assistance worth P44,560,502 has been provided to the victims, according to the NDRRMC.

According to the NDRRMC, the Northeast Monsoon and the trough of the low pressure area affected Mindanao affected Mindanao from January 28 to February 2, 2024, resulting in flooding and landslide incidents.

"On 03 February 2024, 11:00 AM, the Low Pressure Area (LPA) has dissipated," it said. —Joviland Rita/KBK/RSJ, GMA Integrated News