Reported death toll from shear line rains climbs to 44 —NDRRMC

The reported death toll due to the heavy rains brought by the shear line in the Visayas and Mindanao in the past few days has reached 44, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) said Friday.

In its 6 a.m. report, the NDRRMC said 24 of the deaths were reported in Northern Mindanao, six in Bicol, four each in Zamboanga and Davao, and three each in Eastern Visayas and Caraga.

Most of them died due to drowning and landslides.

According to the NDRRMC, only 13 of the reported fatalities have been validated so far.

Meanwhile, at least 28 people are still missing, including 12 each in Bicol and Eastern Visayas, two in Northern Mindanao, and one each in Western Visayas and Zamboanga.

The NDRRMC said 12 people were also reported injured.

A total of 509,340 individuals or 131,028 families were affected by the bad weather in 914 barangays in Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga, Northern Mindanao, Davao, Caraga and Bangsamoro.

Of the affected population, 15,800 people or 4,604 families were staying inside 151 evacuation centers while 41,007 persons or 10,925 families were taking shelter in other places.

Damage

The NDRRMC said over P1.13 billion worth of damage to infrastructure and P232.7 million to agriculture were reported. The National Irrigation Administration monitored over P2 million worth of damage.

A total of 4,522 houses were damaged — 3,679 partially damaged and 843 totally damaged.

The power supply in 60 of the 63 affected areas have been restored. Meanwhile, the water supply in five of the seven affected areas also have been restored.

All of the 19 affected seaports have already resumed their operations. A total of 765 passengers, 13 rolling cargoes, and one vessel were stranded.

At least 67 classes and 71 work schedules were suspended due to the threat of the rains caused by the shear line.

The NDRRMC said 21 cities and municipalities were declared under the state of calamity including Llorente in Eastern Samar, Dapitan and Polanco in Zamboanga Del Norte, Gingoog in Misamis Oriental, and the entire province of Misamis Occidental.

More than P51.4 million worth of assistance was provided to the victims.

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. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News