DEATH TOLL FROM NIKA, OFEL, PEPITO CLIMBS TO 14 – NDRRMC

Weeks after series of typhoons hit the country, damages and casualties reported are adding in affected areas that are still in need of help (Photo courtesy of GMA Integrated News)

The death toll from three recent typhoons has climbed to 14 according to the report of National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). Only five of these deaths were validated, while two remain missing, the NDRRMC said in its situational report.

Meanwhile, 15 persons were reported injured, 11 of whom have already been confirmed.

The tally of people affected by typhoons Nika (international name: Toraji), Ofel (international name: Usagi), and Pepito (international name: Man-yi) rose to over 4.26 million individuals or 1.15 million families nationwide.

Of the affected persons, 124,144 were displaced with 79,123 staying in evacuation centers, while 45,021 took shelter elsewhere. To aid the affected individuals, the government has so far distributed P388,822,968 worth of assistance.

This amount of assistance, which includes food and non-food items, has so far helped families in eight regions -- Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Eastern Visayas and the Cordillera.

The NDRRMC also added that a total of 453,611 families still need help to date. A total of 123,747 houses were reported damaged in six regions, of which 103,000 were classified as "partially" damaged and 20,747 were tagged as "totally" damaged.

The damage to agriculture and infrastructure was estimated at PHP699.3 million and PHP2.84 billion, respectively.

The agency also urged local government units (LGUs) to use the geohazard map of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) to mitigate disaster risks.

NDRRMC Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno said the map could also help LGUs locate areas where preemptive and forced evacuation should be enforced. Following the country experienced three consecutive strong typhoons that caused massive flooding and landslides in the regions of Bicol and Calabarzon, and northern Luzon provinces.

Source: Philippine News Agency 

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