‘Agaton’ Destruction in Aklan Reaches P24M

The flood and strong winds brought about by Tropical Depression “Agaton” on January 2 in Aklan left a total of P24,424,151.41 in damages, based on the final report released by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) here.

“Agaton” also caused the deaths of two persons in Aklan at the height of the floods – 71 year-old James Russel Landstrom who had a heart attack while driving his vehicle along the flooded street of Bulwang, Numancia, and 65-year old Lolita Verano, who drowned when carried away by rushing floodwater in a creek in Barangay Rosal, Libacao, Aklan.

Verano was said to be crossing a makeshift bamboo bridge across a creek which broke at the middle, so she fell on the rushing water which carried her away, drowning in the process.

Damages to agriculture reached P5,790,151.41 affecting 8 Aklan towns, while infrastructure had a total damage of P18,558,000.00 as reported by three towns.

On the other hand, only one town – Banga, reported a damage of P50,000.00 to its lifeline and was also the only town to report a damage to its public utilities which reached P26,000.00.

“Agaton” totally destroyed 12 houses located in three municipalities while 25 houses were reported partially destroyed, located in 7 municipalities.

The tropical depression also displaced a total of 3,557 families who had to spend their night at designated evacuation centers, located in the towns of Banga, Kalibo, Lezo, Madalag, New Washington, Nabas, Numancia, and Tangalan.

Numancia, just across the Aklan River, had the highest number of families affected with 2,175.

Ten Aklan towns – Banga, Kalibo, Lezo, Libacao, Madalag, Malinao, New Washington, Nabas, Numancia, and Tangalan reported damages, deaths, and injuries caused by the tropical depression while seven towns – Altavas, Balete, Batan, Buruanga, Ibajay, Makato, and Malay had no reported damages.

The damages caused by “Agaton” in Aklan were lower compared with the damages caused by Typhoon Urduja on December 16 last year which reached P96,110,284.60.

No deaths were reported too at the height of Typhoon Urduja in Aklan. (JSC/VGV/PIA6 Aklan)