PAGASA / PDRRMO Capiz via Joey Marzan, Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines — The death toll from persistent and widespread rain and floods triggered by various weather systems since early January increased to 39, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Wednesday.
This developed as the agency received another death report from the Bicol Region.
Based on the latest NDRRMC data, 12 of the fatalities were recorded in the Zamboanga Peninsula while nine were in the Bicol Region, eight in Northern Mindanao, and seven in Eastern Visayas.
It also said that one death case each was logged in Mimaropa (Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan), the Davao Region, and Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City).
The NDRRMC has so far validated 19 of the total reported deaths and is still in the process of validating the rest.
Meanwhile, the agency said 12 people were injured and five others remain missing due to the incessant inclement weather brought about by the combined effects of the low pressure areas (LPAs), northeast monsoon (locally known as amihan) and shear line since the start of the year.
To date, at least 1.9 million people or 475,983 families across 2,516 barangays in the country have been affected by the various weather systems, the NDRRMC added.
The estimated cost of damage to agriculture and infrastructure, on the other hand, was pegged at P833 million and P430 million, respectively, as of Jan. 25.
The state weather bureau earlier said overcast skies and rain will prevail over parts of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao due to an LPA east of Mindanao and the northeast monsoon.
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