Shear line kills six,19 still missing

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Monday revealed that at least six people were killed while 19 are missing after rains due to the shear line devastated parts of the Visayas and Mindanao on Christmas Day.

In its report, the NDRRMC said that four of the fatalities were reported in Misamis Occidental in Northern Mindanao and two Camarines Sur in Bicol — all whom have drowned by floods.

It added that the missing include 10 individuals from Bicol, six in Eastern Visayas and three in Northern Mindanao while at least three people were also reported injured

The rain-triggered floods dampened celebrations on the mainly Catholic nation's most important holiday.

"The waters rose above the chest in some areas, but today the rains have ceased," civil defense worker Robinson Lacre told Agence France-Presse by phone from Gingoog city.

According to the NDRRMC, a total of 100,691 people or 23,762 families were affected by the bad weather caused by the shear line in 262 barangays in Mimaropa, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga and Northern Mindanao.

Reports also disclosed that at least 44,672 individuals or 9,216 families were staying in evacuation centers, while 35 persons or seven families were taking shelter in other places as power supply issues were experienced in 36 cities and municipalities and the water supply was also interrupted in three areas.

At least 48 houses were reported damaged — 27 partially and 21 totally.

So far, the NDRRMC said a total of P2,038,743.29 worth of assistance have been provided to the victims affected by the bad weather.

The Visayas and Mindanao have been hit with bad weather as many began a long Christmas holiday. Millions of people travel to their hometowns for family reunions during this period.

The Philippine Coast Guard also said strong winds and big waves sank a fishing boat on Christmas Day off the coast of Leyte. Two crew members were killed while six others were rescued.

The Philippines is ranked among the most vulnerable nations to the impacts of climate change.

Scientists have warned that storms are becoming more powerful as the world gets warmer.

Meantime, the local government unit in Zamboanga City said that over 200 people remain at evacuation centers while only one person was reported injured in Barangay Guisao and one was reported missing in Mercedes.

In Lamitan City in Basilan, at least four barangays were affected by floods and neck-deep floods hit some barangays in Tudela, Misamis Occidental.