TD 'Wilma' leaves 132K persons affected nationwide – NDRRMC
(Courtesy of PAGASA)
Tropical Depression “Wilma” has affected more than 132,000 individuals across six regions and prompted widespread pre-emptive evacuations to reduce casualties due to continued rains, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Monday, Dec. 8.
Latest data showed that 47,177 families or 132,716 individuals were affected in 269 barangays in Mimaropa (Region 4B), Bicol (Region 5), Western Visayas (Region 6), Central Visayas (Region 7), Eastern Visayas (Region 8), and Caraga (Region 13).
Authorities opened 102 evacuation centers which currently shelter 4,189 families or 13,933 people. Meanwhile 2,138 families or 8,606 individuals received assistance outside evacuation sites.
Pre-emptive evacuations were carried out across the affected regions with 5,515 families or 18,088 people moved to safer ground.
Most of those evacuated were from Eastern Visayas, which accounted for 9,571 individuals, followed by the Negros Island Region (NIR) with 4,311 people, Region 7 with 4,155, Caraga with 37, and Mimaropa with 14.
Wilma also caused infrastructure disruptions as 15 road sections were reported affected, mostly in Bicol with 10 road closures. Calabarzon recorded two affected roads while Mimaropa and Eastern Visayas each reported one.
No bridges were reported affected. However, three houses were damaged in Region 6.
Relief operations have begun with Bicol and Caraga reporting assistance provided to families in need.
In Bicol, 1,189 out of 4,171 families requiring support have received aid amounting to P808,818.
Caraga recorded P76,472 in assistance but reported no families requiring support as of the latest update.
Wilma has weakened into a low pressure area but it continued to bring rains over the coastal waters of Culasi, Antique as of 3 a.m. on Monday.
PCG: No more stranded passengers
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said no more passengers were stuck in ports nationwide as the weather has improved and sea trips resumed.
As of 12 noon, the PCG Command Center reported that no rolling cargoes, vessels, or motorbancas were also stranded in any port nationwide.
“All shipping and fishing companies have resumed their normal operations,” the PCG said.