Odette damage to agriculture, infra hits P47 billion

A resident of Barangay Sabang in Surigao City rebuilds his family’s house using materials salvaged from debris left by Typhoon Odette (Rai).  (Photo by ERWIN M. MASCARIÑAS)

MANILA, Philipines — Nearly two months after Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) battered the Visayas, Mindanao, and parts of Luzon, damage to agriculture and infrastructure has ballooned to over P47 billion.

On Monday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council placed the damage to agriculture at P17.7 billion and damage to infrastructure at P29.3 billion.

Extensive damage to agriculture was recorded in Western Visayas, Mimaropa, Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao and Caraga.

In infrastructure, Caraga was the worst hit with P22.8 billion in damages while damage to infrastructure in Central Visayas was placed at P4.2 billion.

Power has been restored in 403 of 427 towns and cities but telecommunications remains unstable in 76 areas. Water supply has also been restored to 96 of 156 cities and municipalities.

—JEANNETTE  I. ANDRADE

READ: UN: PH resilience on the line without more aid for Odette survivors