Update: Sendong leaves more than 1,000 people killed

The death toll of Tropical Storm Sendong (international codename: Washi), which battered Southern Philippines on December 16, 2011, has reached 1,453.

Many of those killed were women and children who drowned when rivers swelled in Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City. Other victims came from Zamboanga del Norte and Compostela Valley.

Some 4,594 people were injured, and 84 others remain missing.

In Cagayan de Oro City, 891 people were confirmed dead; while in Iligan City 481 bodies were recovered.

Entire villages were washed away, houses destroyed, bridges broken and vehicles overturned.

In Cagayan de Oro, the center of the storm, 23 barangays were flooded, after 180 millimeters of rain fell on the city. According to authorities, a month’s worth of rain fell in only a few hours, inundating rivers and tributaries.

Government officials said that deforestation of watersheds in Lanao del Norte and Bukidnon, which feed into the major rivers of Mindanao, had worsened the effects of heavy rains.

Illegal mining activities also contributed to the siltation of the river, the government said. In addition, rapid urbanization also decreased the area for water runoff and caused the siltation of the Cagayan River.

Many residents were also caught unaware since the flood came while people were sleeping.

Meantime, the Visayas region was not spared, with 39 reported killed in Negros Oriental.

The government estimates the cost of damage to infrastructure and agriculture at Php 1.1 billion.

Of the 719, 485 people affected, at least 54,795 people remain in 56 evacuation centers. They are in dire need of food and non-food assistance.

For cash and in-kind donations, please send to the following:

Panday Bulig Relief and Rehabilitation Center

Tabang Mindanao Center

12th-22nd Streets, Nazareth

9000 Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines

T/F: +63 (88) 856 6413

E: pandaybulig@gmail.com

Bank Account Details:

Account Name: Panday Bulig Inc.

Bank: RCBC, Velez Branch, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines

Account Number: 1095029776

Swift Code: RCBCPHMM

Citizens’ Disaster Response Center

72-A Times St., West Triangle Homes

Quezon City, Philippines

T/F: +63 2 929 9822

E: info@cdrc-phil.com

Bank Account Details:

Peso Account

Account Name: Citizens’ Disaster Response Center

Bank: Metrobank, Examiner Branch, Quezon City, Philippines

Account No. 636-3-63600741-3

Dollar Account:

Account Name: Citizens’ Disaster Response Center

Bank: Metrobank, Examiner Branch, Quezon City, Philippines

Account No. 636-2-63600158-3

Swift Code: MBTCPHMM

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