MANILA, Philippines — Three more people were 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 43, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said in its situational report on Monday.
The most recent fatalities were reported in Bicol Region over the weekend, bringing the death toll in the region to 13.
Fatalities were also reported in Zamboanga Peninsula at 12, eight in Northern Mindanao, and seven in Eastern Visayas.
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, 11 people were reported to be injured, while eight remain missing.
Damage to agriculture was estimated to be at P1.05 billion, while destruction to infrastructure was pegged at P523.1 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 the shear line is seen to bring rainfall in most parts of the country until Wednesday.
READ: Pagasa: Overcast skies, rains expected due to shear line, ‘amihan’