Death toll from recent weather disturbances climbs to 48

THE EFFECTS of bad weather due to Typhoons Butchoy and Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon in late July have so far claimed 48 lives, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Monday.

Of this number, the confirmed deaths stand at 14 -- five in Calabarzon, four in Zamboanga Peninsula, two in Central Luzon and one each in Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), according to the disaster response body's situation report.

Meanwhile, another 34 fatalities are still undergoing validation -- 22 in the National Capital Region, 10 in Calabarzon, and one each in Ilocos Region and the BARMM.

The affected population has reached over 6.22 million or 1.66 million families in 5,099 barangays nationwide.

Of this number, around 8,324 families or 36,467 individuals are being aided in 152 evacuation centers while another 241,325 families, or 1,040,781 persons are being aided outside.

The effects of these weather disturbances have also damaged 8,574 houses in 15 regions nationwide.

Meanwhile, damage to agriculture in 12 regions was placed at PHP1.82 billion while infrastrcuture damage in 11 regions was estimated at PHP4.18 billion. (Priam Nepomuceno)