MANILA, Philippines — Reported death toll due to Typhoon Odette rose to 258, while combined damage to infrastructure and agriculture ballooned to more than P3.6 billion, the country’s disaster agency reported.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, in its situation report as of Thursday morning, said they have confirmed 11 fatalities and are validating 247 reported deaths.
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The number of reported injured persons rose to 568, with two so far validated.
There are also 47 persons reported as missing, the NDRRMC added.
Bohol reported the most deaths with 96 fatalities, followed by Negros Oriental with 66, Cebu with 58 and Surigao del Norte with 21.
Deaths were also reported in Palawan, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Butuan City and Agusan del Sur.
NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Timbal earlier explained that the higher death toll that the Philippine National Police posts give the disaster agency a “projection” of possible number of casualties. He however said the Council reports casualties coming from their local counterparts.
The NDRRMC also monitored 2,196,432 persons or 585,029 families affected by Odette in 4,566 barangays in the regions of Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao, Soccsksargen, Caraga and BARMM regions.
The government’s 2,535 evacuation centers are providing temporary shelter to 486,361 persons or 122,575 families, while 123,341 individuals or 29,906 families opted to stay with their friends or relatives.
Odette damage
Odette’s powerful winds toppled electric posts in areas along its path, resulting in reports of 269 cities or municipalities losing power. Of these, electricity has been restored in 144 localities.
Communication was also affected in 348 areas in seven regions, but lines were already restored in 112 localities.
The NDRRMC also reported 136,369 damaged houses due to the typhoon. Of these, 52,736 were completely flattened by Odette, while 83,633 were recorded as partially damaged.
The agency said damage to agriculture has also ballooned to more than P1.152 billion. Odette has affected 15,845 hectares of crop area in eight regions. Infrastructure damage meanwhile is estimated at P2.537 billion.
The government has also declared a state of calamity in a total of 33 localities in six regions. Nearly P16 million in aid was also distributed to the affected communities, the NDRRMC said.
Assistance from foreign countries meanwhile continues to pour in for Odette’s victims. — Kristine Joy Patag