NDRRMC validating 85 ‘Usman’ deaths

Residents of Lope de Vega, Northern Samar, look at their houses after rain and floods triggered by Tropical Depression ‘Usman,’ ravaged their town. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said it was validating reports that 85 people died in massive floods and landslides brought by Tropical Depression “Usman” after it barreled through the Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas.

In a report, NDRRMC noted that as of Wednesday 6 a.m., 20 were reported missing while 40 others were injured in Mimaropa, Regions V and VIII due to “Usman.”

NDRRMC said that a total of 45,348 families or 191,597 individuals were affected in Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Regions V and VIII.

More than 6,000 families or some 24,000 persons are being served inside 170 evacuation centers, the agency added.

Damage to the agriculture sector in Region V has been pegged at P342,233,565.24.

Assistance worth P4,029,684 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), local government units and nongovernmental organizations have been provided to Mimaropa, Regions V and VIII, NDRRMC said citing DSWD’s Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC) report. /cbb