Visayas and Mindanao floods death toll climbs to 32

MANILA, Philippines — The death toll due to floods and rough seas caused by the shear line in the Visayas and Mindanao early this week has increased to 32.

In a situation report released yesterday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said seven were confirmed dead while the 25 others still have to be validated.

Of the confirmed deaths, three were from Eastern Visayas, three from Zamboanga peninsula and one from Caraga.

There were six unconfirmed fatalities in Bicol, 18 in Northern Mindanao and one in Zamboanga peninsula.

The NDRRMC also recorded 11 injuries while 24 remain missing.

Up to 864 communities were affected by flooding, which is equivalent to 124,853 families and 486,485 people.

A total of 12,264 families remain in 150 evacuation centers.

Heavy rain and flooding left 3,322 houses damaged and 746 destroyed.

Damage to infrastructure was estimated at P51.55 million.

Floods also damaged 5,807,099 hectares of agricultural land. A total of 9,195 farmers and fisherfolk were affected.

1 dead, 3 missing in Davao Oriental landslide

In Davao Oriental, a person died and three others remained missing in a landslide on Wednesday.

The body of Cristituto Paglanson, 62, was retrieved on the same day.

The city government’s information office said 86 people were involved in search and rescue operations for Jethro Quilat, 14; Roberto Ampo, 52, and John Gel Casaligan, 15.

Personnel of the Army’s 66th Infantry Battalion, Bureau of Fire Protection, police and Philippine Red Cross are among the rescuers.

The landslide occurred amid heavy rain, also caused by the shear line or the meeting of cold and warm air from the northern and southern hemispheres.

Generally fair weather

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said generally fair weather can be expected over the Visayas and Mindanao in the coming days.

PAGASA said the low-pressure area monitored off Mindanao dissipated yesterday morning.

However, the state weather bureau said the shear line would affect parts of Luzon until tomorrow.

Cloudy skies with scattered rains are forecast over Mimaropa, Calabarzon, Cagayan, Isabela and Aurora.

The northeast monsoon is also bringing cloudy skies with rains over Ilocos, Cordillera Administrative Region and the rest of Cagayan Valley.

PAGASA warned the public of flashfloods or landslides during  heavy rain. – Edith Regalado, Romina Cabrera