'Nona' damages P320 million worth of agri, infra

MANILA, Philippines - The initial cost of damage to agriculture and infrastructure affected by Typhoon Nona (international name Melor) is estimated at P320 million, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Thursday.

The NDRRMC reported that 109,065 houses have been destroyed due to the onslaught of Nona. Areas in Calabarzon, Bicol region and Eastern Visayas have been affected by the typhoon.

Meanwhile, several roads in Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol region and Eastern Visayas remain impassable.

Some 12,000 out of 15,336 evacuated families still reside in evacuation centers, the NDRRMC said.

The NDRRMC recorded a total of eight deaths from Romblon, Sorsogon, Albay, Masbate, Northern Samar and Samar due to the typhoon. Six people have been injured from Mimaropa and from Bicol.

The commission also reported that two cities and 38 municipalities do not have electricity. The repair of transmission line problems will take about six days.

The provinces of Albay and Sorsogon have been placed under state of calamity.

Typhoon Nona has weakened into a tropical depression and is expected to be downgraded to a low pressure area in the next 24 hours.

However, tropical depression Onyok is expected to make landfall over the Caraga region by Friday afternoon.

LIVE updates: Tropical cyclones 'Nona' and 'Onyok'