‘Pedring’ death toll rises to 43; P4-B worth of crops roads destroyed

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Typhoon “Pedring” (international codename: Nesat) left 43 dead and more than P4 billion worth of damages to agriculture and infrastructure, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said on Friday.

Meanwhile, 44 were injured, 30 still unaccounted for while 114 have been rescued, it added.

It also said that Pedring affected 205,885 families (986,417 persons) in 33 provinces across Luzon, while 44,139 families (204,376 persons) are being served inside and outside evacuation centers.

A total of 52 bridges/road sections remain impassable in Region II (Cagayan), 20 in Region III (Central Luzon), 14, Region IV-B (Mimaropa)2, and Cordillera Administrative Region, 16, the NDRRMC said.

Meanwhile, only 51,500 out of 4.9 million customers of Meralco remain without power due to “isolated segments and lateral portions of the lines” it said.

As of last night, the NDRRMC said the following dams have also been opened as water levels have reached their spilling levels: Ipo (three radial gates at 3.8 meters); Angat (three gates at three meters); Ambuklao (two gates at three meters); Binga (five gates at 3 meters); Magat (seven gates at 7 meters); San Roque (one gate at 0.5 meter).

Santiago City, Isabela; Meycauayan City, Obando and Calumpit in Bulacan; Olongapo City, Zambales; Tarlac City, Tarlac; Noveleta in Cavite; Nueva Ecija; Dinalupihan, Bataan; Malabon, Navotas and Marikina in Metro Manila were declared under state of calamity, it said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, local government units, non-government organizations have extended about P21 million worth of assistance to the victims of Pedring, it said.

From the P3.99 billion total damage to crops and infrastructure, P3.206 billion were from Central Luzon .

Region II (Cagayan) came next in the list with P396 million and Region V (Bicol) with P342 million.

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