Up to 75 people may have died in the aftermath of Tropical Depression “Usman” in Mimaropa, Bicol and Eastern Visayas, the government said Tuesday as it verifies reports on the mounting death toll from floods and landslides triggered by heavy rain.
The latest unverified death toll came from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in its 6 a.m. update Tuesday.
"Usman" has so far affected 45,348 families or about 191,597 people living in 457 barangays in Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol and Eastern Visayas.
Of these, 6,637 families or 24,894 people are being served in 170 evacuation centers while another 12,132 families or 54,665 people are being aided outside.
The NDRRMC also reported that 92 road sections and three bridges in Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, and Eastern Visayas were affected by "Usman," with 51 already passable.
The Department of Agriculture recorded an increase in the damage and losses brought about by the storm, to P299.44 million.
In the latest bulletin of the DA-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operation Center issued at 5 p.m. Monday, damage to rice crops alone was recorded at P266.98 million with 7,496 metric tons volume production loss.
The total affected areas planted to palay was 12,858 hectares and 9,622 farmers in the provinces of Oriental Mindoro, Quezon, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Masbate, and Samar were affected.
Taiwan has offered assistance to the Philippines.
“To help [the] affected people overcome the adversities and promptly restore their lives back to normal, Taiwan is willing to cooperate with the Philippines by providing necessities and assistance specifically required by the affected people,” the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Manila said in a statement Monday. No figure was specified, however.
On Tuesday, residents, and officials of Lope de Vega in Northern Samar sought immediate help.
Mayor Anna Tan-Palloc said they are in need of housing materials, food, water, hygiene kits, and used clothing after “Usman” brought heavy rains and floods in their town last week.
Palloc said at least 389 houses have been destroyed, and 729 have been damaged by the storm.
She said that some upland and interior barangays have remained inaccessible and without power supply.
The town’s water system was also destroyed by flood, the mayor added.
At least five people were killed and two others were missing in Lope de Vega, a fourth class community, as of Dec. 31.
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