Flood-affected folk in 3 regions exceed 245,000

MANILA, Philippines - The number of people affected by floods triggered by the tail-end of a cold front has exceeded 245,000, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said yesterday.

NDRRMC said a total of 59,304 families or 245,487 people were affected in 202 barangays in the Davao, Soccsksargen and Caraga regions.

As of 3 p.m. yesterday, a total of 83,266 people or 19,271 families had received relief assistance. Of this, 65,611 people or 14,174 families were still in evacuation centers.

The NDRRMC reported yesterday morning that the number of residents in evacuation centers had increased to 122,776. The number went down to 65,611 in the afternoon as some residents returned to their homes due to improved weather condition.

The floods have left six persons dead and six others injured, and almost P58 million in property damage.

The NDRRMC said 276 houses were damaged in the three affected regions.

Barangays Kapalong Pasbangan and Mankilam in Tagum, and parts of Braullo E. Dujali, both in Davao del Norte, have experienced power outages.

Three bridges and nine roads in Davao and Caraga remain impassable to all types of vehicles due to flooding.

 The government has provided more than P809,000 worth of assistance to the affected residents.