Cebu earthquake damaged over 39,000 houses—NDRRMC

A total of 39,806 houses in Central Visayas have been damaged after the magnitude 6.9 earthquake hit Bogo City, Cebu on September 30, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Tuesday.

In its 6 a.m. report, the NDRRMC said 36,063 of the houses were partially damaged while 3,743 others were totally damaged.

A total of 733 infrastructures were also damaged due to the earthquake.

The affected population due to the earthquake reached 611,624 people or 165,988 families. Of which, 1,290 people or 415 families were staying in evacuation centers while 22,272 people or 6,937 families were taking shelter in other places.

According to the NDRRMC, the number of fatalities remained at 72. A total of 559 individuals were also injured.

Incidents of landslide, structural fire, collapsed structure, and chemical leak were reported due to the earthquake.

Four of the eight affected road sections and 10 of the 20 affected bridges were still impassable. 

Power interruptions were still encountered in 48 of the 91 affected areas. Water supply problems were still reported in one of the eight affected areas. Also, communication line issues were still experienced in 10 of the 17 affected areas.

Operations remained suspended in two of the three affected seaports. 

Classes in 115 areas and work schedules in 29 areas have been suspended due to the impact of the earthquake. 

A state of calamity was declared in the entire province of Cebu. 

Assistance worth P138,632,594 has been provided to the affected victims so far, according to the NDRRMC.—AOL, GMA Integrated News