At least 19 people died while more than 95,000 individuals are still saying in various evacuation centers after their homes were either destroyed or are still submerged in floodwaters caused by typhoon "Odette" which left a trail of destruction in the Visayas and MIndanao, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported on Saturday, Dec. 18.
Col. Rhoderick Alba, spokesperson of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said most of the fatalities were reported in Western Visayas with eight while seven people were also reported to have died as a result of the weather disturbance in Central Visayas. Four more were reported in Northern Mindanao.
He said four people were also injured in Central Visyas and three in northern Mindanao.
Almost 10,000 policemen were deployed in various areas devastated by "Odette" to helpd in securing the evacuation centers, search and rescue and road clearing operations.
"Our regional police offices in areas directly hit by 'Odette' were ordered and reminded by the Chief PNP (Gen. Dionardo Carlos) to focus the assistance on search and rescue, clearing operations, relief operations and security in evacuation centers to ensure the observance of the minimum public health safety," said Carlos.
"Our CPNP also said that it continues to share its resources, vehicles and SRR Equipment to DRRMCs and LGUs. Our personnel on the ground are closely coordinating with their respective local government units," he added.
Based on the PNP reports, hundreds of areas in Visayas and Mindanao have no power and communication lines.
This is the reason, according to Alba, why it is still a challenge in getting details on the impact of the typhoon.
"Based on the reports we have been receiving, reaching the affected areas are also challenging due to trees that were uprooted and electric posts that fell due to the strong winds," said Alba.