Two people were reported killed while more than 78,000 individuals were affected by heavy rains caused by shearline in Bicol (Region 5), the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) disclosed Saturday, Jan. 11.
A report from the NDRRMC identified one of the fatalities as 53-year-old farmer Florentino Echane, who drowned in Brgy. Batang, Irosin, Sorsogon.
Meanwhile, the body of a still unidentified man was found in Lagonoy, Camarines Sur. Authorities suspect that he is a victim of drowning.
Since Jan. 7, light to heavy rains brought by the shear line have been affecting many areas in Bicol which resulted to flooding.
The NDRRMC said 78,828 individuals or 18,995 families were affected in 168 barangays in Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and Sorsogon.
Of those affected, there were around 5,000 individuals who were displaced and either sheltered in evacuation centers or taking refuge in other people’s homes.
The delivery of relief assistance to the affected communities remains a challenge as 22 roads were not passable due to flooding in Sorsogon, Camarines Sur, Albay and Catanduanes.
Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Administrator, Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno earlier warned the public against the “destructive” effects of shear line.
READ: OCD warns of ‘destructive’ effects of shear line, ITCZ; 5 deaths reported