MANILA – Thirty-four persons were killed due to flash floods and landslides some provinces in Mindanao as Tropical Depression “Agaton” continues to the affect the southern part of the country.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said that 65 persons were injured while seven remained missing in the regions of Northern Mindanao, Davao Caraga and Zamboanga Peninsula as non-stop heavy rainfall continuous to pour on the affected towns.
The disaster bureau noted that the weather disturbance has also affected 467 villages in 72 towns in 14 provinces in Mindanao or at least 463,527 individuals.
The assessment also stated that 44,316 families or 212,661 people were displaced and brought to 358 evacuation centers.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that the storm will dump a moderate to heavy 5-15 millimeter of rain ever hour within its 300-kilometer (km) diameter.
On Friday, Agaton was located 260-km southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar and has maximum sustained winds of 55-kilometers per hour (kph) near the center. It is forecast to move southwest at 5 kph
By Saturday, Agaton is expected to be at 40 km east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur and 13 km northeast of Davao City by Sunday morning. It is projected to be at 45 km northwest of General Santos City by Monday. (Sunnex)