NDRRMC: Floods affect over 600K people, kill 29 others

UPDATED 2:00 p.m. - The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the floods and landslides brought about by continuous rains in Bicol, Visayas, and Mindanao have affected over 600,000 people and killed 29 others. According to the 6 a.m. update of the NDRRMC on Friday, the rains have affected at least 131,780 families (or 684,153 people) in 843 villages in 21 provinces. The death toll from the floods and landslides caused by heavy rains in Bicol and parts of Visayas and Mindanao also went further up to 29 as of Friday morning. Most of the affected people were from:

the CARAGA region in Mindanao with 76,078 affected families (or 399,403 people);

Eastern Visayas with 30,889 families (or 163,888 people); and

Bicol with 14,966 families (or 71,569 people). The floods caused by heavy rains in past days have begun to subside as the weather finally improved in the Caraga region in Mindanao on Friday but residents there are not fully out of danger yet. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned of possible rains on Monday, especially over the Bicol region. PAGASA forecaster Jori Loiz said this was despite the slight improvement in weather conditions over the region, which was also affected by heavy rains. "Inaasahan natin by Monday lalakas ang ulan dito (We expect rains to intensify over Bicol by Monday)," Loiz said in an interview on dzBB. On the other hand, he said the rains will not be heavy over Metro Manila. "Inaasashan nating mahinang pagulan (We expect relatively moderate rains over Metro Manila during the weekend)," he said. Flood, landslide victims The NDRRMC said the latest fatalities were from Agusan del Sur and Davao del Norte in Mindanao. The latest fatalities included:

Eserio Daniel of Barangay Popongon, Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte;

Armando Batilaran of Barangay Caimpugan, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur; and

Bryl Jake Mondejar of Barangay Don Alejandro in San Luis, Agusan del Sur. The NDRRMC said the number of injured had gone up to eight, with three people reported hurt in Sogod and Libagon in Southern Leyte. The victims included Rowen Libres and Stephanie Libres of Sogod and PO3 Noel Talisic of Libagon, Southern Leyte The damage to property also went up to P183.264 million:

P62.471 million in agriculture and

P120.762 million in infrastructure. At least 135 houses were also completely destroyed while 199 others were partially damaged. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) prepositioned P30.38 million in standby funds, family packs and food and non-food items. State of calamity Areas placed under 'State of Calamity'
View Areas under 'State of Calamity' in a larger map The areas that are under a state of calamity are:

Surigao del Sur

Butuan City in Agusan del Norte

Bunawan, Esperanza and San Francisco in Agusan del Sur

Surigao del Norte

Albay Warnings vs diseases Office of Civil Defense Caraga regional director Blanche Gobenciong said health authorities warned residents to take precautions against waterborne diseases. "Ang DOH, nag-issue ng health advisory (The Department of Health has issued a health advisory) on dengue, leptospirosis, influenza, typhoid fever, Hepatitis-A, and cholera to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases," Gobenciong said in an interview on dzBB radio on Friday. Gobenciong said the weather has improved while the floodwaters have started to subside. However, she said some areas in the region still have floods, including in Prosperidad town in Agusan del Sur, where the residents are still staying in evacuation centers. ast 29 people had been confirmed dead in the wake of the floods and landslides. She said alert levels in all provinces had been lifted while all national and secondary roads are passable. Classes have also resumed, she said. – VVP, GMANews.TV