Over 60,000 families across PH in distress over flooding – OCD

Inquirer file photo

MANILA, Philippines — Floodings triggered by three weather systems this month killed one person in Visayas and distressed 63,212 families nationwide, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said on Friday.

According to the agency, the shear line, Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), and low-pressure areas affected the families in Eastern Visayas; Mimaropa (Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan); Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon); and the Bicol Region since Dec. 8.

READ: Shear line, ITCZ seen to bring more rains

“Severe weather conditions continue to impact the Philippines,” the OCD said in a statement.

Highest number

Based on the OCD data as of 1 a.m. on Dec. 27, Eastern Visayas has the highest number of affected people at 199,364 individuals. The lone fatality was also logged in this region—a drowning case in Borongan City, Eastern Samar.

In Mimaropa, 30 areas in Oriental Mindoro and Palawan remained flooded, the OCD noted, affecting 10,021 families, or 48,598 people, including 174 families (702 individuals) currently staying in eight evacuation centers.

The OCD also said 154 families (678 people) in Bicol and 88 families (367 people) in Calabarzon felt the impact of flooding.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said on Friday that 14 areas nationwide will experience rainy weather this weekend due to the shear line and ITCZ. —John Eric Mendoza