‘Agaton’ death toll rises to 43 — NDRRMC

A member of the Philippine Coast Guard rescue team picks up residents fleeing the flood unleashed by Tropical Storm Agaton (international name: Megi) in Capiz province on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. (Photo from the Philippine Coast Guard)

MANILA, Philippines — The death toll due to Tropical Storm Agaton has climbed to 43, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Wednesday.

NDRRMC spokesman Mark Timbal said that of the total death toll, 37 were recorded in Leyte province, while three were in Central Visayas and three were in Davao Region.

Timbal however clarified that this number is still subject for validation.

Based on the latest situation report of the NDRRMC, seven individuals are missing while eight have been injured due to Agaton, which weakened into a low-pressure area on Tuesday night.

A total of 34,583 people were evacuated and are currently staying in 348 evacuation centers.

Meanwhile, a total of 580,876 individuals have been affected, while 341 houses and 1,851.5 hectares of crops have been damaged.

The estimated cost of damage to agriculture was pegged at P51,398,517.

The government has already extended P21-million worth of humanitarian assistance to individuals affected by Agaton, Timbal added.

The NDRRMC is currently conducting search and rescue in Tanay Island, Capiz and Iloilo.

Timbal said the agency has recorded about 400 flooding situations and 43 landslides in different regions.

Based on the severe weather bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, heavy rainfall can still be expected even as Agaton weakens into a low pressure area.

However, all tropical cyclone warning signals have been lifted.

Agaton was last spotted over the coastal waters of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, Pagasa said.

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