CEBU CITY — A family of 13 in Alcoy town was among those who killed when typhoon Odette struck in southern part of Cebu on Thursday night, Dec. 16.
The victims died after their house which stood on a natural waterway was swept by rampaging water, Governor Gwen Garcia said Monday, Dec. 20.
“They lived in an area that was a long, dried out creek. There was no water for many, many years and because of the typhoon, water suddenly rose,” said Garcia.
As of Monday, Dec. 20, death toll in the province caused by typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) stood at 76.
Other deaths reported in province were from the southern towns including Badian (8), Alegria (7), Aloguinsan (6), Dumanjug (5), Argao (2), Barili (2), Moalboal (2), and Pinamungajan (1).
Cebu province has been placed under state of calamity due to the destructions caused by Odette.
One of the badly hit areas was Malabuyoc, which was isolated from the province after a bridge connecting the town and Ginatilan collapsed.
A circumfirential road connecting Alegria and Malabuyoc was also damaged.
Garcia said the province has already contracted a roll on, roll off barge to bring basic commodities to the town.
"They are running out of supply there," said Garcia.
The barge would bring rice, fuel, water and assorted goods that will be distributed to affected families in the town, Garcia said.