Death toll from widespread rains since January 2 now at 40 — NDRRMC

MANILA, Philippines — One more person was reported to have died due to rains brought about by several low pressure areas (LPA) and other weather systems since January 2 bringing the death toll to 40, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said in its situational report on Friday.

READ: NDRRMC: Death toll from incessant rain, floods rises to 39

The most recent fatality was reported in Bicol Region, which now recorded 10 deaths.

Of the total death toll, most were logged from Zamboanga Peninsula which had a tally of 12 deaths, while eight were in Northern Mindanao and seven were in Eastern Visayas.

Also, one death each was tallied in Mimaropa (Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan), the Davao Region, and Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City).

So far, the NDRRMC has validated 20 deaths, while the rest has yet to be validated.

Moreover, 12 people were reported to be injured while seven remain missing.

Damage to agriculture was estimated to be at P885.1 million while destruction to infrastructure was pegged at P528 million.

A number of widespread rain-inducing LPAs have entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility since the beginning of January, while the shear line and the northeast monsoon or amihan continue to affect the country, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

As of Friday, Pagasa said the Philippines is not expecting any tropical cyclones until the end of January, but it does not rule out the formation of an LPA off Mindanao.

READ: No tropical cyclones expected in PH until end of January — Pagasa

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