Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 27) — More people have died as a result of the heavy downpour and floods in parts of the Visayas and Mindanao over the Christmas weekend.
In its 6 p.m. situationer, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said it had received reports of 17 deaths.
There were also 27 cases of missing persons and eight injured in the affected regions, namely Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Northern Mindanao.
The agency added that 48,358 families, or 186,459 persons, were affected while 1,112 houses were damaged.
The majority of the 10,873 families, or 46,479 residents, who remain in evacuation centers are mostly from Eastern Visayas and Northern Mindanao.
Damage to infrastructure and agriculture ballooned to ₱20.5 million and ₱62.7 million, respectively, the NDRRMC said. At least 19 areas are still experiencing power interruption. Water service has yet to resume in a Northern Mindanao town, it added.
So far, four roads and four bridges remain impassable for all types of vehicles as of Tuesday evening.
Authorities said assistance was already provided to affected residents while search and rescue teams continue operations.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the shear line, or the convergence of the easterlies and the northeast monsoon, will continue to bring rains over parts of the Visayas and Mindanao.
