MANILA, Dec 20 (NNN-PNA) – The death toll from Typhoon Rai that battered the Philippines last week, has climbed to at least 144, local officials said yesterday.
Bohol province in the central Philippines is the worst-hit with 72 deaths, while Negros Occidental reported 18, Cebu 16, Dinagat Islands 10, Southern Leyte six, among others.
The number of deaths is likely to rise as local officials gather data from the field.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), has yet to update its death tally after saying on Saturday night, it had received reports of 31 deaths in central and southern Philippines due to Rai.
Communications are still down in typhoon-ravaged areas, making it difficult for the NDRRMC to contact its regional and provincial agencies.
Bohol Governor, Arthur Yap, said, his province has tallied 72 deaths, as reports trickle in.
“Presently, communications are still down. The signal is intermittent,” Yap said, adding that, the central Philippine province is still without electricity. It might take up to three weeks to restore power in the province.
Yap appealed to fuel suppliers to triple the deliveries of gasoline and fuel, saying, the province is dependent on generator sets.
He said, residents of some hardest-hit towns are asking for food and water. More chainsaws are also needed, to clear fallen trees and debris. Many of the smaller roads are still not passable.
President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the speedy delivery of food, water, and necessary items, such as tents and tarps to the typhoon victims, after visiting the affected areas by aircraft.
He also ordered the military and the Philippine Coast Guard to send boats and ships to augment the immediate delivery of needed supplies.
The military will send medical teams onboard two Navy ships, to augment the health personnel in Siargao and Dinagat Islands, Cabinet Secretary, Karlo Nograles, said.
The NDRRMC said, Rai affected more than 700,000 people in nine regions, caused power outages, damaged buildings and houses in these areas. The government is still assessing the typhoon’s damage to crops and infrastructure.– NNN-PNA
