MANILA – Twenty-six persons were still missing in areas hit by tropical depression “Usman” in December, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Sunday.
A total of 126 individuals were killed and 75 were injured, it added.
In its report, the NDRRMC said 150,877 families – or 765,777 persons – in 952 barangays in CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Region V and Region VII were affected by the tropical depression.
Due to Usman, 13,202 of those families have evacuated from their homes and sought refuge at 125 evacuation centers while 19,825 of the affected families stayed in other areas.
Usman destroyed 9,554 homes, the report said.
The total damage was valued at P4,249,398,276 including the damage in agriculture (P948,693,776) and infrastructure (P3,300,704,500).
In CALABARAZON, MIMAROPA, Regions V, VI and VIII, 215 areas were flooded. The floodwaters in 135 of these areas however have already subsided.
At least 36 domestic flights were canceled due to the bad weather brought about by Usman.
According to the NDRRMC, 104 cities and municipalities experienced power interruptions, but the power supply in 85 areas have been already restored.
Classes were also suspended in 56 cities and municipalities in Region V for the safety of students and teachers.
Twenty-three diesel power plants and three mini grids were also affected.
Usman made landfall over the Eastern Visayas on Dec. 29 and brought heavy rain, which in turn caused flooding and landslides, across the central Philippines.
It weakened and became a low pressure area before it left the Philippine Area of Responsibility. (With a report from GMA News/PN)
