Thursday, January 27, 2011

Mandaue chief wants state of calamity declared

The death toll from floods and landslides caused by heavy rains in past weeks rose to 75 Thursday, with the latest fatalities from Cebu and Agusan del Sur. The NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council) said the causes of death of the 75 fatalities included drowning, landslide, electrocution and hypothermia. At least 21 remain missing while 13 were reported injured, it added. A total of 1,365 families or 6,135 people are still being served in 48 evacuation centers. At least 745 houses were destroyed while 4,550 were damaged. Damage to property was estimated at P2.025 billion, including P659.533 million in agriculture; and P1.345 billion in infrastructure.

State of calamity eyed in Mandaue City

Meanwhile, Mandaue City in Cebu province is considering declaring a state of calamity due to flash floods that hit parts of Metro Cebu this week. Affected by Tuesday's flash floods in Mandaue City were Tipolo, Subang-daku and Guizo villages where floodwaters were neck-deep.

The silted Mahiga Creek and Tipolo Creek overflowed, affecting the low-lying areas of Subang-daku, Panagdait, Palace of Justice in Mandaue and nearby Parkmall. Classes in Guizo Elementary School and A.S. Fortuna Elementary School were also suspended. In Cebu City, the vicinity of SM Mall, White Gold Department Store and Radison Hotel at Sitio Pinagdait were flooded. Some 254 passengers in the area near SM Macro were stranded and transported by the 51st Marine Reserve Battalion of the Cebu City disaster risk reduction and management council.

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