Death toll from Ulysses climbs to 33, says NDRRMC

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Saturday said the death toll due to Typhoon Ulysses has gone up to 33.

“As of this 11am: fatality count is now at 33,” NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Timbal said in a message sent to reporters.

“Additional fatality from Region 2,” he added.

Timbal said the number of injured remained at 22, as did the number of missing at 20.

Earlier on Saturday morning, Timbal said the death toll was at 32. 

Of the 33 fatalities, 16 were from Region II, six from Calabarzon, five from Region V, and six from Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). 

Of the 22 injured, three were from Region III, nine from Calabarzon, eight from Region V, and two from CAR. 

Of the 20 missing, meanwhile, five were from Region II, two from Calabarzon, eight from Region V, and five from CAR.

Estimated agricultural damage in Regions I, II, III, V, Calabarzon, and CAR reached P968 million.

Damage to infrastructure in Region I and MIMAROPA was pegged at P253 million.

A total of 3,013 houses in Region I and CAR were damaged.

Timbal said the figures were all still subject to continuing validation.

"Accumulated effects na po ito ng heavy rains brought about by all weather disturbances and weather systems. The rain water poured on the highlands had gone down to the plains na. Napuno na din ang Magat Dam and its releases had added to the water supply," Timbal said.

Meanwhile, Timbal also said more than 3,700 personnel have already been deployed as of Saturday morning to rescue stranded individuals in Cagayan and Isabela who were affected by floods. 

"We have 3,776 personnel deployed and conducting SRR [search, rescue and retrieval] to support the LGUs," Timbal said in a message sent to reporters.

Office of Civil Defense Region II Information Officer Michael Conag said the floods were caused by rains from Ulysses as well as the release of water at Magat Dam.

"Na-aggravate dahil dito sa ulan dulot ni Ulysses at iyong pag-release din ng Magat Dam [ng tubig] ay isa ring contribution. Pero hindi ho majority ay dahil sa pag-release ng Magat Dam. May tributaries din from higher areas from Nueva Vizcaya at Isabela. Bumababa din po [ang tubig mula doon]. Ang catch basin ang Cagayan po," Conag said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB. —KG, GMA News