Cosme death toll rises to 44; Pangasinan hardest hit

MANILA, Philippines – The death toll from tropical storm “Cosme” (international name: Halong) rose to 44, mostly from the hardest hit province of Pangasinan, while 24 others were injured, disaster officials said in an official report released yesterday.

In an update, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said 31 of the casualties were from Pangasinan, eight from La Union, four from Zambales and one from Benguet.

Most of the victims died after being hit by falling debris and flying galvanized iron sheets blown off roofs due to strong winds.

The NDCC said 24 people were injured while another one was reported missing as of press time.

More than a million residents of Regions I, III, VI and the Cordillera Administrative Region were affected by floods, landslides and storm surges.

The damage to agriculture and infrastructure was placed at P3,743,148,180, mostly from destroyed crops and livestock.

Pangasinan, Zambales, the cities of Baguio and Alaminos, and 40 villages in Iloilo were placed under a state of calamity due to the effects of tropical storm Cosme.

The NDCC said the National Transmission Corp. is restoring power in several areas of La Union, Pangasinan and Zambales where towers were toppled by strong winds brought about by the storm.

Telecommunications and water supply in Pangasinan have also been cut off since May 17 up to the latest update from the NDCC.

Relief operations are still being conducted in the affected areas.