BY DANTE M. SUDARIA
MDNN NATIONAL – With the bad weather continuing to threaten the country, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported the death toll to have increased to 17.
Still, the shear line-driven phenomenon, according to NDRRMC, was the main culprit in the continued rains and floods that hit Northern Mindanao, Eastern Visayas and parts of Luzon.
NDRRMC data showed 9 deaths in Northern Mindanao, 5 deaths in Bicol Region and 1 death each for Zamboanga Peninsula and Eastern Visayas.
In Northern Mindanao, the highest number of casualties was recorded in Misamis Occidental, which registered 7 deaths, while the other two fatalities were recorded in Gingoog City and Misamis Oriental.
Governor Henry Oaminal said the province has already been declared under state of calamity as of yesterday to start identifying those who need financial help and other immediate needs such as food, clothing, among others.
“We have already evacuated those in danger zones to safer places and immediate relief operations have also started,” Governor Oaminal said.
Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Unabia also announced food packs have been delivered to affected families now temporarily sheltered in government buildings such as schools and other identified evacuation centers.
In Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan), the NDRRMC recorded as of Tuesday a total of 44,282 families or 166,357 individuals, who were displaced as a result of this shear line-driven phenomenon that caused continued rains and floods in the country.
According to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), the shearline is a type of weather phenomenon, where hot and cold air meet. It started last week and continued to dump rain over Visayan and Mindanao and in Palawan.
