Agri, infra damage due to 'Usman' climbs to P4.2 billion
MANILA, Philippines — Damage to agriculture and infrastructure in areas hit by Tropical Depression Usman reached at least P4.2 billion, according to the National Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
In its situation report released Monday morning, the NDRRMC reported that damage to agriculture is worth an estimated P948 million while damage to infrastructure is at P3.3 billion in Regions 4A, 4B, 5 and 8.
A total of 126 dead, 26 missing and 75 injured persons have been reported in regions 4B, 5 and 8. Among these figures, only 8 dead and 42 injured are confirmed while the rest are still up for verification.
Records also showed that a total of 152,246 families or 682,248 persons were affected by the weather disturbance. An estimated 13,161 families stayed in inside evacuation centers while 18,184 families are being served on outside evacuation centers.
The government agency also reported that 215 areas in Regions 4A, 4B, 5, 6 and 8 experienced flooding, 135 of which have already subsided.
A total of 10,472 houses were damaged in the affected regions.
So far, concerned government agencies have provided about P64 million worth of assistance to affected regions.
Meanwhile, the town of Sagñay in Camarines Sur has terminated retrieval operations for victims of Usman due to continuing downpour in the province.
Retrieval operations have become risky and life-threatening in the muddy and sticky landslide rubble in Barangay Patitinan in Sagñay, according to local authorities.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of Camarines Sur had reported at least 70 bodies, 52 from landsldies and 18 from drowning, recovered in the towns of Sagñay and Buhi as of Sunday noon. — Patricia Lourdes Viray
The low pressure area being monitored by PAGASA has entered the Philippine area of responsibility and has intensified into a tropical depression.
It was assigned the name "Usman," the 21st tropical cyclone to enter PAR.
At 3 p.m. today, the center of Tropical Depression Usman was estimated based at 955 km east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. It packs maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 60 kph. It is moving northwest at 20 kph.
Five national roads in the Bicol region and in Quezon province remain impassable due to damage brought by Tropical Depression “Usman”, the Department of Public Works and Highways says in a press release.
It says the DPWH is still clearing the following closed roads:
- Marikina-Infanta Road, K0114+838 in Barangay Magsaysay, Infanta, Quezon due to road cut
- DM Jct. Legazpi-Sto. Domingo-Tabaco-Cam. Sur Bdry. Road sections K0579+000, K579+100, K579+600, K579+920, K579+960, in Barangays Maynonong, Dapdap, Mayong in Tiwi, Albay due to landslide
- Buyo Bridge 2, Legaspi City-Punta de Jesus Road, Molabago Area in Albay due to damaged bridge approach and flood control structures
- Pili-Tigaon-Albay Bdry. Road sections K0504+250, K0504+350, K504+490, K504+690, K504+720, K505+020, K0505+050, K0505+350, K505+480, K505+750 in Camarines Sur due to landslide
- Baao-Iriga City-Nabua Road, K468+250 in Camarines Sur due to damaged Waras Bridge at K468+250
A state of calamity has also been declared over Baco, a small town in Oriental Mindoro, News5 reports
JUST IN | Isinailalim na sa state of calamity ang bayan ng Baco sa Oriental Mindoro. pic.twitter.com/WSpsJ2vLvT
— News5 AKSYON (@News5AKSYON) December 30, 2018
The province of Camarines Sur has declared a state of calamity "due to massive flooding, landslide incidents, and other damages brought about by Typhoon [sic] Usman," Gov. Miguel Luis "Migz" Villafuerte announces on his Facebook page.
Once declared, a state of calamity puts in place price freezes on basic goods and gives the local government access to emergency funds.
The Low Pressure Area that used to be Tropical Depression "Usman" was 50 km west northwest of Catbalogan City, Samar and 105 km east southeast of Masbate City, Masbate as of Sunday morning, PAGASA says.
"This weather disturbance, along with the Tail-End of a Cold Front , will continue to bring, in the next 24 hours, moderate to heavy rains over Bicol Region, Aurora, Quezon, Mindoro Provinces, Marinduque, Romblon, and Northern Palawan, including the Calamian and Cuyo Groups of Islands," the weather bureau also says.
Tropical Depression Usman is no longer expected to strengthen into a tropical storm, PAGASA says in its 5 p.m. briefing.
It is forecast to remain as a tropical depression in the next two days as it crosses the Visayas and Palawan.
As the tropical depression remains almost stationary, PAGASA says they now expect it to make landfall over Eastern Samar between tonight and tomorrow dawn.
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