A low pressure area that could develop into a storm is expected to dump more rain over the southern and central regions in the country — the hardest-hit areas during the Christmas weekend floods where the death toll has risen yesterday to 29.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said six deaths were recorded in Region 5, three in Region 8, two in Region 9, and 18 in Region 10.
Four of the fatalities have been confirmed while 25 remained for validation.
Some 25 persons remain missing, the NDRRMC said.
A total of 105,971 families or 407,224 individuals were affected by the floods and landslides.
The forecaster said moderate to heavy rains were likely across southern and central regions on Wednesday and Thursday due to a low-pressure area off the coast that could develop into a tropical depression.
“Flooding and rain-induced landslides are likely, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards,” the weather bureau said.
The disaster agency said relief efforts were under way to help people in areas hit hard by the flooding, as more than 81,000 people sheltered in evacuation centers.
Officials on Wednesday were to conduct aerial surveillance over Misamis Occidental to assess the extent of the damage.
The weather turned bad over the weekend as the disaster-prone nation of 110 million people prepared for a long Christmas holiday.
The Philippines is ranked among the most vulnerable nations to the impacts of climate change, and scientists have warned that storms are becoming more powerful as the world gets warmer.
The weather bureau said a low pressure area located east of Surigao del Sur would bring rain showers over Palawan, Visayas and four other areas.
Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian said Wednesday that China will always extend assistance to the country where people in Mindanao are bearing the brunt of recent flash floods.
Huang said said China stands ready to help “as a good neighbor, relative and partner to the Philippines in times of trouble like this.”
“We wish all those affected could overcome the grief and hardships, regain their strength, and rebuild their home at the earliest date,” he added. AFP, Rey E. Requejo
