Christmas weekend floods: Infra damage hits P1.1 billion; 46 dead

MANILA, Philippines — Damage to infrastructure due to heavy rain and floods caused by the shear line during the Christmas weekend has reached more than P1.1 billion.

In a bulletin issued yesterday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said infrastructure facilities worth P1.137 billion were damaged in Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Zamboanga peninsula, Davao, Caraga and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Roads, bridges and utility services were among those affected.

The NDRRMC said the death toll caused by rains and flooding triggered by the shear line, a weather system caused by the meeting of hot and cold air, has risen to 46.

Twenty-eight persons remained missing while 12 others were injured.

Many of the fatalities drowned or were buried in landslides.

Up to 134,605 families or 524,150 people were affected by the shear line. At least 5,529 families or 56,807 people were displaced.

The NDRRMC said damage to agriculture was estimated at P245 million. Nearly 10,000 farmers and fisherfolk were affected.

Concerned government agencies provided assistance worth P51.4 million to affected residents.

The regional offices of the Office of the Civil Defense and local DRRMOs continue its coordination and monitoring as well as search and rescue operations in the affected regions.

The NDRRMC activated its regional emergency operations centers and continue to broadcast emergency alert and warning messages.