NDRRMC : Agaton affects over 153K people in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines - More than 153,000 families have been affected by tropical depression Agaton in several parts of Mindanao, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said on Monday.

In its latest situational report, the NDRRMC said that the figure translates to over 723,000 persons affected by the bad weather in 102 municipalities in 15 provinces of Regions 10, 11, Caraga and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Of the total affected, more than 25,000 families or around 119,000 individuals were displaced and staying in 352 evacuation centers, the NDRRMC added.

The state disaster response agency said that death toll from Agaton remained at 40 while the injured pegged at 65. Six persons are still missing.

The cost of damage from tropical depression Agaton has ballooned to over P328 billion for infrastructure and agriculture in several parts of Mindanao, the NDRRMC said.

The NDRRMC said that the national government and the local government units have already provided more than P59 billion worth of relief assistance to the affected population.

Meanwhile, several classes and government offices in regions 11 and Caraga, including Butuan City, Tandag City and Provinces of Dinagat Islands, have been suspended due to Agaton, the NDRRMC said.