In its latest situational report at 6 a.m. today, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) recorded a total of 15 deaths, 35 injuries, and 13 missing persons in Region XI and CARAGA, due to flooding brought about by the low pressure area (LPA) in Southern Mindanao.
However, other sources such as the Associated Press reported about 20 deaths already.
Ten landslide incidents and five floodings or flashflood incidents in Regions X, XI, and CARAGA were also recorded by the NDRRMC.
A total of 40,640 families or 199,327 persons were affected in 192 barangays in 48 municipalities in 10 provinces of Regions X, XI, and CARAGA.
Recorded not passable were 34 roads and 17 bridges in Regions XI and CARAGA.
Major rivers that overflowed were Saug River in Asuncion and Libuganon River in Kapalong, both in Davao del Norte.
Irrigation dams in Aragon and Brgy. Taytayan in Cateel, Davao Oriental were said to have been damaged due to flooding.
There were about 160 totally damaged houses and 146 partially damaged houses in Regions X, XI, and CARAGA.
Also damaged were eight bridges and five public infrastructures in Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental.
In Davao Oriental, a total of 8,284 hectares of agricultural crops were also reported to have been damaged.
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) delivered about 5,514 family food packs to the local government of Davao Oriental intended for affected families, in response to the provincial government’s request for augmentation of relief assistance.
DSWD also conducted a rapid assessment in Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, and Compostela Valley on Sunday, January 12.
Rescue operations were also said to have been undertaken by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC), and volunteer groups.
DSWD is also prepositioning a total of 10,000 family food packs at the Inter-agency Disaster Operations Center at DPWH Depot, Panacan, according to DSWD-Field Office XI Assistant Regional Director Mila T. Segovia.
Segovia also said that Social Welfare and Development Teams were mobilized in each province as well as activated its Disaster Quick Response Team at the Regional Office to quickly respond to disaster operations.
They are also considering providing the affected families non-food items like blankets, cooking pots, kitchen utensils, pails, and plates.
Latest weather bulletin
The LPA was estimated to be at 60 km north of Butuan City at 4 a.m. today, according to the bulletin issued by PAGASA at 5 a.m. today. Northeast Monsoon is also affecting Northern and Central Luzon.
The regions of Bicol, Eastern and Central Visayas, and Mindanao will have cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rainshowers and thunderstorms that may trigger flashfloods and landslides.
Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and the rest of Visayas will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms.
Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will have cloudy skies with isolated light rains.
Luzon and Visayas will experience moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast, and coming from the northeast to northwest over Mindanao. Expect moderate to rough coastal waters throughout the archipelago, the bulletin said.
According to other reports, PAGASA hasn’t disregarded the possibility that the LPA right now could develop into a tropical depression.
The LPA came two months after super typhoon Yolanda hit the Visayas region and left over 6,000 people dead.
