NDCC: ‘Basyang’ death toll jumps to 53

The death toll from tropical cyclone "Basyang" (Conson) has continued to rise, with at least 53 confirmed dead as of early Saturday.

In its 5 a.m. report, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) also said 85 people remained missing while 29 were injured.

Of the 53 dead, 27 were from Southern Luzon, 17 from Central Luzon, and nine from Bicol. The injured included 23 in Southern Luzon, four in Bicol and two in Central Luzon.

Still missing are 46 in Bicol, 32 in Southern Luzon, and six in Central Luzon, and one in Western Visayas.

At least 45,470 families or 225,495 people were affected in 649 villages in 12 cities and 84 towns in 12 provinces in Central and Southern Luzon, Metro Manila, and Bicol.

The NDCC said that as of Saturday, 1,096 families or 5,395 people are still staying in 31 evacuation centers.

Some 3,137 houses were destroyed and 22,340 damaged, it added.

Damage to infrastructure, agriculture, fisheries and schools was estimated at P188.073 million as of early Saturday.

The NDCC said "Basyang" caused several maritime incidents involving at least 40 fishing boats, four tankers, five vessels, and seven motor bancas.