BACOLOD CITY – The wrath of Typhoon Odette in Negros Occidental claimed at least 34 lives, as of Dec. 19.
The most number of casualties were from Sipalay City at 16.
According to Salvador Mesa III of the Sipalay City DRRMO, at least 10 died in flashfloods, two have died due to fallen trees, and one died of hypothermia.
Mesa said there were reports of some missing individuals also in the city.
Mesa said that all 17 barangays in the city were flooded. More than 3,000 residents were affected.
Mesa said that powerlines might be restored for about three to four months because of the severe damage caused by Odette in the city.
In Kabankalan City, nine persons died, while five others were wounded, according to the police.
Three casualties were reported in Moises Padilla, including a five-year-old girl whose house was hit by strong winds, based on the data from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).
One fatality each was reported in the town of Binalbagan, Ilog, and Isabela, and Manapla, and the cities of La Carlota and San Carlos.
Four wounded individuals were reported in La Castellana town, two others in Moises Padilla town, and one in San Carlos City.
Thousands of Negrenses in the southern part of the province were affected of the typhoon due to flooding, damaged houses, and fallen trees.
Meanwhile, Police Gen. Dionardo Carlos, PNP chief, arrived in the province on Dec. 18 and conducted aerial inspection of the devastation caused by the typhoon in the southern Negros.
He also met with the personnel of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office to check their quick response team in the affected areas.