NDRRMC: Death toll from Bicol floods rises to 3

The death toll from the floods and landslides that hit the Bicol region late last month rose to three Sunday, after the body of a woman reported missing last Dec. 30 was found.

In its Sunday update, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) identified the latest fatality as Maricris Abrigo, 21.

Abrigo, a resident of Mariawa village in Legazpi City, "was reported missing after the Dec. 30 flash flood (but) was found today (Sunday)," the NDRRMC said.

The other fatalities were earlier identified as Lolita Dadap, 80; and son Antonio, 50, of Manito town in Albay.

Lolita and Antonio were swept away by a strong current of water while on their way to the evacuation center, the NDRRMC said.

Also as of Sunday, the NDRRMC said the Sagñay-Tiwi Road remained closed due to a landslide at midnight Saturday at Patitinan, one km from Tiwi town in Albay.

The NDRRMC also said at least 12,752 families or 62,655 people in Albay had been evacuated following the landslides and flooding caused by heavy rains last week.

Of these, 1,118 families or 5,414 people were evacuated due to landslides; and 11,634 families or 57,241 people were evacuated due to flooding.

But provincial disaster officials in Albay allowed the full decampment of the evacuees last Friday, after weather conditions in the province improved.

Damage to agriculture was estimated at 199 hectares of seedlings and newly transplanted rice and vegetables, including 174 hectares in Camalig; 15 hectares in Malilipot; and 10 hectares in Manito. - KBK, GMANews.TV