Tropical cyclone Usman hit the central Philippines

The death toll from Tropical Depression Usman has risen to 126, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Saturday.

Four reported deaths were added to the 122 recorded on Thursday. The casualties were in the regions of Bicol, MIMAROPA and Eastern Samar. The number of injured individuals rose to 75 from 60 on Saturday. Twenty six persons are still missing.

During a situation briefing attended by President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, NDRRMC officials attributed most of the deaths to flooding and landslides, and recommended the relocation and resettlement of residents in landslide-prone areas.

Over 13,000 families or about 58,000 individuals are still in evacuation centers, more than a week after Usman entered the country on Christmas Day. A total of 300,000 fled their homes, as Usman brought heavy rains that triggered deadly landslides.

A state of calamity had been declared in several provinces, including Northern Samar, Albay, Sorsogon and Camarines Sur, and some municipalities in Oriental Mindoro. This will allow the release of calamity funds.

Usman also dealt a blow to the agriculture sector, leaving damage worth ₱801 million as of Thursday evening, Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol said.

The NDRRMC said over P47 million worth of assistance has been provided to affected regions. It said a total of 140,000 families or 600,000 individuals were affected by the weather disturbance.