Marilyn downpours flood 54 areas, affect 8,412 individuals

A total of 54 areas across the country were flooded by the rain brought about by Tropical Depression Marilyn, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported.

As of 6 p.m. on Sunday-September 15, the NDRRMC said that 39 areas in Pampanga, 11 in Zamboanga City, and four others in Negros Occidental were flooded.

Furthermore, the rain affected 1,726 families or 8,412 individuals in 25 barangays. Majority or 5,472 persons are currently being served in evacuation centers.

Most of those affected were located in the Zamboanga Peninsula (8,412 individuals), followed by Soccsksargen (500 individuals), and the Davao Region (135 individuals).

There were also a total of 40 passengers and three vessels stranded as of 12 p.m. Sunday, while a vessel was reported to have taken shelter at the Barcelona Port in Escalante, Negros Occidental.

According to the NDRRMC, the government has released P668,762.50 worth of assistance — P614,762.50 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and P54,000 from local government units (LGUs).

Tropical Depression Marilyn weakened into a low pressure area (LPA) which exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) Saturday evening, according to the state weather bureau PAGASA. — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/DVM, GMA News