E. Visayas storm death toll climbs to 46

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 20  -- Death toll from Tropical Storm Urduja has climbed to 46 in Eastern Visayas region Wednesday morning while 49 are still missing, according to initial reports of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC).

Of the total fatalities, 33 are from Biliran, the most devastated province by the slow moving storm that crossed central Philippines last week. Its heavy rains triggered landslides and flooding.

Outside Biliran, storm-related deaths were also reported in Ormoc City, Tacloban City, and Mahaplag in Leyte; Maydolong, Guiuan, Lawaan, and Taft in Eastern Samar; Daram, Pinabacdao, and Sta. Rita towns in Samar.

Lucsoon village in Naval, the capital of Biliran province , has the most number of deaths at 19 due to massive landslide that buried several houses.

Of the 49 missing in the region, 17 are from Lucsoon village.

At least 26 victims succumbed to landslides and 21 died from drowning, the RDRRMC regional report added.

The storm has damaged 4,289 houses and destroyed learning facilities in 535 schools in Eastern Visayas.

Meanwhile, as of Wednesday morning, there are 4,000 food packs received by the provincial government from the Department of Social Welfare and Development .

The shipment is part of the 25,000 food packs committed by the central government when President Rodrigo Duterte visited the typhoon-stricken province on Monday.

Prioritized in the distribution of initial shipments are the towns of Culaba, Caibiran, Cabucgayan, and Almeria. (SQM/PNA)