Eastern Visayas death toll due to ‘Odette’ now 34

Residents salvage belongings from their destroyed homes in the coastal town of Dulag in Leyte province on December 17, 2021, a day after Super Typhoon Rai hit. (Photo by Bobbie ALOTA / AFP)

TACLOBAN CITY––The death toll in Eastern Visayas due to Typhoon “Odette” has climbed to 34.

At least 32 of the deaths were from Southern Leyte that bore the brunt of Odette that hit the region on Dec. 16.

The two other deaths were from Inopacan town in Leyte.

Data from the regional disaster council show that nine people died in Saint Bernard town; five each in San Francisco and Malitbog; four in Liloan; two each in Tomas Oppus and Sogod; and one each in Limasawa, Padre Burgos, Macrohon, San Ricardo, and Maasin City.

The council, however, said that seven of these deaths were for verification, as they were still waiting for more data from the affected local governments in Southern Leyte.

At least 14 people were reported missing: eight from Saint Bernard; four from San Juan, and one each from Tomas Oppus and Liloan.

Grace Subong, Department of Social Welfare and Development regional director, said the agency was coordinating with Air Force and Coast Guard personnel in relief pack distribution to remote areas and islands affected by Odette.

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