ZAMBALES, Philippines – The number of deaths in Central Luzon in the aftermath of Typhoon Lando (Koppu) has risen to 8, according to regional disaster officials.
The official tally of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), however, recorded only 6 deaths in the region as of Wednesday afternoon, October 21.
Four people – 3 from Aurora and 1 from Zambales – were killed due to the typhoon, which has swept across northern and central Luzon over the weekend.
Nigel Lontoc, acting chairman of the regional DRRM council, identified the 3 casualties from Aurora province:
- Leonardo Cinco, 11, of Barangay Calantas, Casiguran
- Riza Lisma, 40, of Barangay Culat, Casiguran
- Armando De Leon, 26, of Barangay Dibaraybay, Dinalungan
All 3 died due to multiple physical injuries.
Evangeline Cortez, 57, of Barangay Gama in Sta Cruz, Zambales, died of drowning.
The regional disaster council had earlier confirmed the deaths of 65-year old Pedro Tuares of Barangay Pulung Matung and 58-year old Mario Abesamis of Barangay Pias in General Tinio in Nueva Ecija, who died by drowning.
Violeta Magbalot, 57, of Barangay San Julian in Moncada, Tarlac, died due to electrocution, while 62-year old Benita Famanilya of Subic, Zambales, died after being hit by a collapsed wall.
At least 27 individuals were also reported to have suffered various types of injuries in Central Luzon, with Aurora having the most at 14 followed by Zambales with 12, and Nueva Ecija with one.
According to the social welfare department, the strong winds and intense rains of Lando have displaced 75,159 families or 358,187 persons across 60 towns and cities in all 7 provinces of Central Luzon.
Currently staying in about 330 evacuation centers were 20,803 families or 94,475 persons.
Some 354 houses were reported totally damaged and 4,415 houses partially damaged, the bulk of which were in hardest-hit Aurora and Nueva Ecija.
“As soon as the weather improves, we will be holding a Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis in tandem with the NDRRMC,” Lontoc said. – Rappler.com