Low Pressure Area Impact: 10 Dead, Over 290K People Affected By Rains, Floods

A low pressure area (LPA) that entered the country on Jan. 2 has resulted in 10 deaths, affected over 291,826 people and damaged 487 houses, the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) Joint Information Center said Wednesday.

The office said in its disaster media bulletin that four injuries have also been reported, according to the GMA News.

The LPA that hit the Calabarzon, western Visayas, Davao Region, Bicol Region, Mimaropa, eastern Visayas, Bangasamoro Region and northern Mindanao has displaced 784 families, the office said.

The OCD also said there were 12 flooded areas in eastern Samar, 20 in Leyte and two in northern Samar as of Tuesday. At least 14 roads and bridges were affected by the LPA.

As of Wednesday, only Tubod in Lanao del Norte has declared a state of calamity, but two affected areas reported communication disruptions, three reported water issues, and one lost power.

As part of the efforts to help with recovery in affected communities, the OCD said it has provided family packs, jerry cans and malongs – tube-like wraparound skirts – to people in Tubod.

Nearly P12 million (approximately $218,000) worth assistance has been provided to affected individuals, the OCD said, as local government units dealt with damages reported to have exceeded P153 million (approximately $2.7 million) in infrastructures.

Damage to the agriculture sector was estimated to be nearly P112 million (approximately $2 million) as of Wednesday.

The OCD had previously said there were 11 deaths reported due to the LPA, but later corrected the information as the one casualty was linked to localized thunderstorms.

The Philippines has been experiencing heavy rainfall since the holiday season.

During the Christmas weekend, a shear line hit the Bicol region, eastern Visayas, Caraga, Davao and Zamboanga, resulting in an estimated P1.1 billion (approximately $19.7 million) in damage.

As of Jan. 5, the reported death toll from the said shear line reached 52. Eighteen people are still missing, and more than 4,600 houses were reported to have been destroyed. Of the said damaged houses, 772 were completely wiped out by the shear line, The Manila Times reported.

More widespread rain is expected in the country within the coming days as the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said another LPA entered the country's area of responsibility on Tuesday.