'Urduja' death toll climbs to 32 in Eastern Visayas

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 18  -- Death toll due to the onslaught of “Urduja” in Eastern Visayas climbed to 32 while 29 others remain missing, the Philippine National Police Region 8 reported Monday.

Tropical depression “Urduja” caused flooding in 268 villages and 26 landslides. At least 12 people were reported injured.

Of the 32 deaths, 27 are from Biliran, two from Ormoc City, two from Samar, and one from Leyte. Most of the victims were buried alive by the landslides, reports said.

Landslides have been reported in Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Samar, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Tacloban City, and Ormoc City.

In a separate report, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) said the storm has displaced 52,428 families in Eastern Visayas with 41,024 families in evacuation centers, as of Monday morning.

Collapsed bridges, severe flooding and landslides have closed several sections of roads in the provinces of Biliran, Leyte, Samar, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar.

A section of a road in Leyte, which was closed for two days due to mudslides, was cleared Monday morning, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported.

In a report by the DPWH 2^nd Leyte engineering district, the highway, which is located along the historic Breakneck Ridge, suffered collapsed slope protection early on December 16 which rendered half of its the lane impassable.

However, another landslide which occurred later on the same day, after  “Urduja” brought incessant rains to the area, rendered the highway totally blocked to all types of vehicles.

Four of the region’s six provinces have been placed under state of calamity. At least 11 cities and towns also issued the same declaration. (LAAA/PNA)