THE death toll from Tropical Depression Usman has risen to 68 as disaster and rescue personnel continue to assist victims affected by flooding and landslides, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Monday.
Based on the report released by the NDRRMC on Sunday night, 57 people died in the Bicol region while 11 others were also reported killed in Region 8. Most of the victims died from landslides and flooding.
NDRRMC Spokesman Edgar Posadas said 19 others were also still missing.
Usman affected at least 40,000 people in more than 36 barangays in Bicol and Eastern Visayas regions.
The NDRRMC said at least 121 areas and barangays in the two regions were also flooded and at least 65 road sections and three bridges were also closed to traffic due to landslides and flooding.
Power outages were also reported in 67 barangays in Regions 4A, 4B and 5.
Farm damage climbs
Meanwhile, an initial assessment by the Department of Agriculture (DA) showed 7,800 farmers in three regions have incurred losses amounting to some P195.36 million due to damage brought by Usman.
A report released by the DA Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRMM) Operations Center on December 30 evening showed that damage to the farm sector due to Usman grew by P192.63 million, from the previously reported P2.73 million.
“The increase in overall values is attributed to the reports in rice, corn and high-value crops in Quezon, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon,” it said in the report which was updated as of 5 p.m. of Sunday.
The DA report noted that Usman damaged 9,836 hectares of farms with an estimated volume loss of about 8,495 metric tons. It affected around 7,871 farmers.
The report showed that rice farmers in Calabarzon, Regions 5 and 8 suffered the brunt of Usman’s damage.
Image credits: Nonoy Lacza