Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 29) — There are now 14 reported deaths due to the effects of storm Egay and the enhanced southwest monsoon, or habagat, state disaster management officials reported on Saturday.
In its latest situation report, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said six deaths have been confirmed while eight fatalities were still up for validation.
The NDRRMC also said it is still validating information on 13 people who were reportedly hurt and 20 missing individuals.
Egay (international name: Doksuri), which reached super typhoon category while inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility, also affected 172,293 families or 608,979 residents in 1,858 barangays in the country. Affected locals were mostly from Central Luzon.
A total of 3,288 families or 11,043 persons are still in evacuation centers, the agency added. Mimaropa had the most number of evacuees.
So far, authorities have provided over ₱39 million worth of aid to affected families.
Power restoration efforts
As of 8 a.m., the NDRRMC said 102 areas nationwide are still experiencing power interruptions. Half of these are located in the Ilocos region.
In a briefing, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) said 50 out of 62 electric cooperatives are now operational.
The NEA is currently ramping up its efforts, as well as coordinating with concerned agencies, to restore operations of the remaining twelve electric cooperatives that service 577,530 consumer connections.
Energy officials said they are focusing their efforts on electric cooperatives in Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, and Abra.
Damage
Egay caused the most damage in Northern Luzon, mostly in areas in Cagayan Valley.
The NDRRMC said 9,624 houses were destroyed during the tropical cyclone’s onslaught.
The agency added that damage to infrastructure was estimated at nearly ₱1.2 billion.
The inclement weather also brought damage to agriculture pegged at nearly ₱834 million, and disrupted the livelihoods of around 76,000 farmers and fisherfolk.
