Deaths climb to 19; affected people surpass 2 million due to bad weather — OCD

At least 19 deaths were reported, while nearly 2.3 million people have been affected by the combined effects of the enhanced southwest monsoon, and tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Tuesday.

Benguet reported the majority of deaths at 12, including nine in Baguio, two in La Trinidad, and one in Atok, all due to landslides, Diego Agustin Mariano, deputy spokesperson of OCD, told reporters via Viber, citing 6:00 a.m. data.

Rizal logged four deaths, including two in Rodriguez due to a landslide, one in Antipolo City caused by a fallen tree, and one in Binangonan due to drowning.

Batangas City, Lipa, and Sta. Teresita in Batangas Province also reported one death each due to drowning, electrocution, and a landslide, respectively.

Meanwhile, four individuals remain missing, with three recorded in Benguet and one in Batangas.

Injured individuals reached 15, with Benguet still reporting the majority at 12, primarily due to landslides. Other areas such as Ilocos Sur, Rizal, and Cavite each reported one injured person.

Meanwhile, affected individuals due to recent inclement weather reached nearly 2.3 million, or 646,676 families, OCD said.

The affected population is concentrated in Regions I, II, III, V, VI, IX, CALABARZON, CAR, NCR, and MIMAROPA.

As of the report, nearly 95,000 people were displaced and taking shelter in 919 evacuation centers, while over 26,000 displaced individuals were staying with family and friends.

The recent inclement weather has caused more than P1.45 billion in damage to infrastructure and over P135 million in damage to agriculture.

Damaged houses reached 684 in total, of which 45 are totally damaged and 639 are partially damaged.

OCD said that the total cost of humanitarian assistance provided has already reached more than P73 million. — Edg Adrian A. Eva