NDRRMC: Death toll from monsoon now at 27, number of affected people reaches 3M

The death toll from the heavy monsoon rain and floods that swamped Luzon earlier this month rose to 27 as of Thursday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.

In its 6:00 a.m. update, the NDRRMC said the latest fatalities were from Lingayen and Mangatarem towns in Pangasinan province.

Also, it said the number of people affected by the monsoon enhanced by Tropical Storm Maring breached the three-million mark.

Cristina Deocares, 24, of Namotan in Lingayen was electrocuted Aug. 21 while Salvador Sacopia, 35, of Pogon Aniat in Mangatarem drowned, the NDRRMC said.

At least 30 were injured while four are still missing, the NDRRMC said.

Affected population

The NDRRMC said the monsoon rain and floods affected 677,127 families or 3,050,250 people in 2,108 villages in 159 towns and 37 cities in 18 provinces in Ilocos, Central and Southern Luzon, Cordillera and Metro Manila.

Of these, 8,739 families or 35,400 people are staying in 201 evacuation centers.

As of Thursday, the NDRRMC said 200 areas in 22 towns and cities in Central and Southern Luzon are still flooded.

Damage

Damage was estimated at P688,167,522.03, including P137,939,781.05 in infrastructure and P550,227,740.98 in agriculture.

At least 501 houses were destroyed while 1,052 were damaged.

Meanhwile, eight roads in Ilocos, Central Luzon and Cordillera remained impassable.

The NDRRMC also said at least 40 areas have been declared under a state of calamity, including five provinces, 10 cities, 18 towns and seven villages in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central and Southern Luzon, Metro Manila and Cordillera. - VVP, GMA News