THE death toll of the combined effects of Tropical Cyclones Luis, Maymay and the southwest monsoon has climbed, with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reporting 21 and the National Police (PNP), 26.
As of 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, the NDRRMC casualty count included 14 injured and one missing.
Most of the victims were from Benguet province due to a landslide. The latest two fatalities in Atok, Benguet, were confirmed following the retrieval of their bodies. In Baguio City, the death toll also climbed to 10; three in Rizal, and three in Batangas, the agency reported.
Meanwhile, the number of affected persons continued to grow, with the NDRRMC receiving reports of the effects of the inclement weather from various regions in Luzon.
So far, the NDRRMC said 909,133 families or a total of 3.14 million people were affected in Regions I, II, III, V, VI, IX, Calabarzon, CAR, NCR and Mimaropa.
A total of 22,893 families or 80,442 people remain in 881 different evacuation centers.
Floods and landslides induced by days of nonstop rains have also destroyed a total of 972 houses, as well as P2.1 billion worth of public and private infrastructure. Close to P200 million worth of crops were lost.
The NDRRMC said that P342,103,574 worth of assistance was provided to affected families. The weather bureau reported improved weather conditions on Wenesday, with Occidental Mindoro forecast to receive 50 to 100 mm of rain until Thursday.
Post-disaster efforts
THE PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., meanwhile, announced that the force has stepped up post-disaster recovery efforts as communities start to repair the damage caused by tropical cyclones Luis, Maymay and the enhanced southwest monsoon.
In line with this, Nartatez said he has directed police units in affected areas to maintain heightened visibility and work closely with local governments as they begin restoring normal community activities.
‘Our responsibility does not end with search and rescue operations. We will remain engaged in the recovery phase by maintaining security, supporting relief efforts, and helping communities recover from the effects of the disaster,’ Nartatez said.