More than 200,000 affected by Auring

MANILA, Philippines — Severe Tropical Storm Auring has affected 56,636 families or more than 200,000 people.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said 64,972 people remain in 159 evacuation centers in 509 barangays in Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao and Caraga.

The NDRRMC had earlier reported that the storm left one person dead, two injured and four missing in Caraga.

Auring, the first tropical cyclone to enter the country this year, caused damage to agriculture and infrastructure amounting to P85 million.

Twelve roads, two bridges and 1,025 houses were damaged.

The Department of Agriculture (DA)-Disaster and Risk Reduction Management operation center said damage to agriculture was placed at P79.38 million. At least 1,451 farmers and fisherfolk and 4,787 hectares of agricultural land were affected.

Rice fields accounted for 94 percent of the affected areas, with damage placed at P75.04 million.

Damage to livestock and poultry was estimated at P3.43 million.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the DA allocated P230 million in agricultural interventions to farmers and fisherfolk in Surigao del Sur.

An additional P5.44 million is available from the Caraga regional field office.

The DA said other forms of assistance are available through its Quick Response Fund, the survival and recovery loan program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council and funds from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp.