Deaths from continuous rains rise to 35; 7 missing

THIRTY-FIVE people have died as almost nonstop rains brought about by low pressure areas (LPAs) and other weather systems continue to affect several regions, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Monday.

The NDRRMC said 12 more people were injured and seven remain missing.

Rains induced by LPAs, the shear line and northeast monsoon have triggered floods and landslides since January 2.

Twelve of the recorded deaths were from the Zamboanga Peninsula.

There were eight deaths in Northern Mindanao, seven in Eastern Visayas, and six in the Bicol region.

Davao Region and Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City) reported one death each.

NDRRMC said 19 deaths have been validated.

At least 31,000 families or 122,000 individuals have been affected by rain-inducing weather systems that have entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility since the start of January.

Infrastructure damage was estimated at P276.7 million. Mimaropa (Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) alone sustained P201 million in damage.

Infrastructure damage reached P44.63 million in Northern Mindanao, P25.36 million in Davao Region and P5.1 million in Soccsksargen.

Agricultural losses totaled P751.9 million. Caraga sustained losses of P126 million, followed by Cagayan Valley, P99.86 million; Western Visayas, P74.87 million; Northern Mindanao, P67.40 million; and Davao Region, P25.1 million.

At least 13 provinces and 17 municipalities have declared a state of calamity.

P98.3 million worth of assistance has been provided to the affected population.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the shear line and the northeast monsoon or continue to affect the country.