4 dead, 7 missing due to TS Dante —NDRRMC

The death toll due to Tropical Storm Dante has climbed to four on Thursday with seven others reported missing, based on the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council's (NDRRMC) latest report.

The dead and the missing were reported from in Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Davao, and Soccsksargen regions, the NDRRMC said.

One of the fatalities was a one-year-old boy who died of suffocation due to mud and debris in Panoraon, Davao de Oro. A 71-year-old man also died in a flashflood in Malalag, Davao del Sur.

The other fatality was a 14-year-old girl in Norala, South Cotabato, whose cause of death is still being determined.

According to the NDRRMC, the latest reported fatality was a 55-year-old male from Norala. His body was recovered on Wednesday.

Four of the missing persons were fishermen from Capiz who went fishing despite the stormy weather. Two were from Calubian Leyte who were reportedly carrued by flashflood, while one missing person was in his early 40s from Daco, Davao de Oro.

According to the NDRRMC, the search and rescue operation  is ongoing for the missing persons.

A total of 45,456 persons or 9,831 families were affected by the tropical storm in 89 barangays in Davao, Soccsksargen, and Caraga regions. Of which, 12,071 persons or 3,090 families were staying in 104 evacuation centers.

In Davao de Oro, six houses were reported damage—three homes were totally damaged while the other three were partially damaged.

A total of 11 road sections and 3 bridges were affected in Cental Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Davao, Soccsksargen and Caraga regions. Of which, two roads and three bridges are still not passable.

Power interruptions were encountered in 11 provinces in Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and Caraga regions, the NDRRMC said.

Network interruption was also experienced in Northern and Eastern Samar.

Work and class were suspended in Marinduque, Romblon, Capiz, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, Tacloban City, Leyte, and Surigao del Sur in light of the threat of Dante.

On Wednesday, the flights in Caticlan Airport in Aklan were cancelled.

At least 24 sea trips were cancelled in Mimaropa, Western Visayas, and Caraga regions.

A total of 3,414 passengers, 1,206 rolling cargoes, and 97 vessels were stranded in Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and Caraga regions.

Due to Dante, more than P14.6 million of damage in agriculture was reported in Soccsksargen and Caraga regions, affecting 723 farmers with 220 metric tons of production. Rice and corn were the affected commodities. —KBK, GMA News