NDRRMC: 'Mina' death toll rises to 26

The death toll from tropical cyclone "Mina" (Nanmadol) rose to 26 early Wednesday even as the estimated damage to property continued to rise, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said. In its 6 a.m. update, the NDRRMC said the latest fatality was Gregorio Padua, 29, of Dilong village in Tubo town in Abra province, who died of drowning. At least 31 were reported injured while six remained missing, it added. The NDRRMC said Mina affected at least 80,908 families or 335,326 people in 930 villages in 110 towns and eight cities in 17 provinces. Of these, 784 families or 3,432 individuals are being served in 23 evacuation centers. Some 78 houses were destroyed while 1,249 houses were damaged. Damage to property was estimated at P1,164,991,413.39, including P51,787,077 in infrastructure and P1,113,204,336.39 in agriculture. As of 6 p.m. Tuesday, nine bridges and 25 road sections remained closed to traffic due to major and minor landslides, scoured slope protection, eroded shoulders, and floods. Mina battered northern Luzon over the weekend before leaving Philippine territory Monday night for China. — RSJ, GMA News