Saturday, August 11, 2012

Govt continues counting 'habagat' cost as death toll mounts


MANILA, Philippines -- The government continued to count the cost of this week’s destructive floods, caused by days of torrential monsoon rains, as the death toll continued to mount.

Saturday morning, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said at least 66 people had died -- 11 of them in landslides, 47 from drowning, the rest of other causes -- six others injured, and 10 more were still missing.

The floods affected close to 600,000 families, or more than 2.6 million persons, in 156 towns and 34 cities in 16 provinces of Region 1 (Ilocos), Region 3 (Central Luzon), Region 4-A (CALABARZON), Region 4-B (MIMAROPA), Region 6 (Western Visayas) and Metro Manila.

Late Friday night, 19 roads and bridges remained impassable.

Although most of the floods had receded, the NDRRMC reported new floods in Antipolo City, Binangonan, Jalajala, Baras, San Mateo, Tanay and Taytay in Rizal; and in Kalayaan and Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

More than P138 million worth of infrastructure was damaged and close to P20 million in agriculture, while more than 8,000 houses were damaged in affected areas.

A total of 39 towns and cities, including in Metro Manila, have declared themselves in a state of calamity.

source: interaksyon.com