'Glenda' death toll soars to 38

MANILA, Philippines — The number of fatalities left by Typhoon "Glenda" has increased to 38, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Thursday.

Alexander Pama, NDRRMC executive director, said 22 or majority of the fatalities were from Calabarzon, the region that was hit hardest by the typhoon.

The other reported fatalities were from other regions in Luzon: Metro Manila, two; Central Luzon, three; Mimaropa, five; Bicol, four; Eastern Visayas, two.

"We will try to find out what exactly is the reason why some of our countrymen still refuse to heed these (typhoon) warnings," Pama said at a televised press briefing.

Ten people have also been injured and eight others remain missing, Pama added.

The NDRRMC chief said as of Wednesday night, more than 192,000 families or over one million people have been affected by Glenda.

The seventh tropical cyclone to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility this year, Glenda has caused damage to infrastructure and agriculture worth P45 million and P668 million, respectively.

Fifteen roads and four bridges remain impassable in some regions due to the damage left by Glenda.

A total of 26,259 houses were also damaged by the typhoon, 7,200 of which were totally destroyed.

Thirteen provinces and one city in the regions of Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol and Eastern Visayas are still experiencing power interruptions.

But Pama said power has been restored to the 84 percent of the Manila Electric Company's franchise area.

While Glenda is now out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility, a total of 1,193 passengers, 23 vehicles, 176 rolling cargoes and 15 motor bancas remain stranded in various parts of the country.