Reported death toll due to shear line rains now 32 —NDRRMC

The number of reported fatalities due to the impact of rains brought by the shear line in Visayas in Mindanao since the Christmas weekend has increased to 32, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) said Thursday.

In its 6 a.m. report, the NDRRMC said 18 deaths were reported in Northern Mindanao, six in Bicol, four in Zamboanga, three in Eastern Visayas, and one in Caraga.

Only seven of the reported fatalities have been validated so far.

The NDRRMC also reported 24 missing people — 11 each in  Bicol and Eastern Visayas, and one each in Zamboanga and Northern Mindanao.

Meanwhile, at least 11 people were reported injured, the NDRRMC said.

Several areas in Visayas and Mindanao were flooded on Christmas Day due to the effects of the shear line, the weather system formed by the meeting between a cold front and a warmer front.

A total of 486,485 persons or 124,853 families were affected in 864 barangays in Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga, Northern Mindanao, Davao, Caraga, and Bangsamoro, according to the NDRRMC.

Of the affected population, 56,110 persons or 12,264 families were staying inside 150  evacuation centers, while 45,503 individuals or 12,293 families were taking shelter in other places.

A total of 4,068 houses were reported damaged — 3,322 partially and 746 totally damaged.

Damage to agriculture worth P206,489,170 and to infrastructure worth P51,550,000 were reported. The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) also reported P2,050,000 worth of damage.

Power outages were experienced in 63 cities and municipalities, of which, 60 have been restored. Water supply interruptions were also encountered in seven areas, of which, three have been restored.

At least 11 of the 19 affected seaports are still non-operational. A total of 765 passengers, 13 rolling cargoes, and one vessel are stranded.

Due to the impact of the bad weather, 67 classes and 71 work schedules have been suspended.

State of calamity has been declared in 20 cities and municipalities including Llorente in Eastern Samar; Dapitan in Zamboanga Del Norte, Gingoog in Misamis Oriental, and the entire province of Misamis Occidental.

Assistance worth P49,428,881.13 has been provided for the victims, according to the NDRRMC. 

In a statement on Thursday, the Armed Forces' Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) said personnel from the Joint Task Force Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao (JTF Zampelan) helped provide assistance in Misamis Occidental.

On Tuesday, troops transported 3,000 family food packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development to Misamis Occidental Provincial Athletic Complex in Oroquieta City.

The Emergency Response Company of the 1st Infantry Division also assisted the loading and unloading of the food packs.

Soldiers also conducted search, rescue and retrieval operations in Oroquieta City where two bodies identified as Mario Sambio, 70, and his daughter Inday Calamian, 38, were recovered from a landslide.

The 10th Infantry Battalion, meanwhile, helped local government units (LGUs) and Disaster Risk Reduction Management Offices to evacuate concerned residents. —KBK, GMA Integrated News