NDRRMC: Cebu earthquake damaged over 62K houses, affected over 600K people

The number of damaged houses increased to 62,531 amid the ongoing aftershocks from the magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Bogo City, Cebu last September 30, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Wednesday. 

In its 6 a.m. situational report, the NDRRMC said 57,677 of these houses were partially damaged while 4,854 others were totally damaged. 

A total of 733 infrastructures were also damaged.

The number of affected population in Central Visayas due to the earthquake increased to 669,794 people or 179,252 families 

Of the affected population, a total of 1,533 people or 381 families were staying in evacuation centers while 5,372 people or 997 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 P146,058,763 has been provided to the affected victims so far, according to the NDRRMC.

Meanwhile, as of 8 a.m. Wednesday, the number of aftershocks increased to 9,108, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said.

Only 38 of these aftershocks were felt. The strength of the aftershocks ranged from magnitude 1.0 to 5.1.

PHIVOLCS said the frequency or number of aftershocks per day is decreasing. —KG, GMA Integrated News