At least 151 people are confirmed dead due to the effects of super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).
As of 6:00 a.m. today, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) confirmed that 151 individuals are reported dead, 23 are injured, and five still missing.
News reports suggest that the number of casualties are expected to rise as more reports trickle in since communications in the affected areas went down during the onslaught of the super typhoon Yolanda. Communications and power in many areas in the Visayas remain out presenting a challenge to relief and rescue efforts.
Yolanda plowed through Visayan provinces Friday, Nov. 8. The super typhoon brought heavy rains and strong winds, and caused flashfloods. The typhoon left the Philippine Area of Responsibility 3:30 p.m. yesterday.
The NDRRMC estimates that there are more than 4.4 million persons affected by Typhoon Yolanda. More than 100,000 families or more than 470,000 individuals were displaced and are in evacuation areas.
Two C-130 cargo planes of the Philippine Air Force have started airlifting equipment and relief supplies including emergency personnel to the typhoon-struck areas since yesterday. The Philippine Navy is sending two ships filled with relief goods later today. BRP Bacolod City and BRP Dagupan City will be unloading relief goods in Tacloban, Tagbilaran and Bohol.
Power outage and interruption are still being being experienced in typhoon-hit areas. Network communications remain down in areas in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Northern Cebu, Biliran, Leyte, Samar, and Surigao del Norte.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) deployed communications systems in Tacloban City, Roxas City, Capiz, and Mactan City to augment the communications requirements for disaster response and relief efforts. Telecommunication companies had set up free satellite phone calls for the people affected.
Meanwhile, eight airports in the Visayas were reopened for commercial flights since yesterday. But Roxas, Kalibo, Tacloban and Basuanga Airports remain closed until today because of typhoon damage. Only military and government flights involved in relief efforts are operating in the four airports.
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has deployed and is distributing P10.6 million worth of relief goods to the affected families. DSWD Field Offices in regions affected by typhoon Yolanda were directed to ensure speedy distribution of family food packs to the victims.
