Over 300 injured due to Ursula —NDRRMC

From over 100, the number of injured individuals due to the onslaught of Typhoon Ursula increased to 362, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Wednesday.

In its 6 a.m. situation report, the NDRRMC said the death toll remained at 50 while there were still five individuals missing in MIMAROPA and Regions VI, VII, and VIII.

The NDRRMC also provided a breakdown of the number of wounded persons:

• MIMAROPA - 5
• Region VI - 25
• Region VIII - 332

Ursula affected a total of 594,981 families or 2,405,753 persons in 2,688 barangays in MIMAROPA, CARAGA and Regions V, VI, VII, and VIII, according to the NDRRMC.

Of that number, a total of 20,209 families or 80,660 persons sought temporary shelter in 574 evacuation centers. Meanwhile, 13,840 families or 57,293 individuals were being served outside evacuation centers, the council added.

The NDRRMC said the cost of damage to agriculture and infrastructure incurred in MIMAROPA and Regions V, VI, VII and VIII was at P1,084,761,546.

Various government agencies have already extended a total of P51,426,653.51 worth of assistance to affected families.

Ursula hit various provinces during the Christmas holidays. Thousands were stranded at sea ports and airports as trips and flights were canceled.

Some local government units also placed their areas under state of calamity due to the destruction brought by the typhoon.

Ursula left the Philippine Area of Responsibility last Saturday after it lashed the Visayas and several areas in Luzon. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KG, GMA News