MANILA, Philippines — (UPDATED) The cost of damage to agriculture and infrastructure in areas devastated by Typhoon Lando (Koppu) has soared to more than P6.3 billion, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday, October 201

Of the amount, agriculture suffered the biggest loss, with about P6.30 billion in damage. Meanwhile, damage to roads, bridges and other infrastructure was pegged at a conservative P520,000, according to the NDRRMC.

In the NDRRMC’s 6 am report on Tuesday, October 20, damage to the agricultural sector was only at P184.71 million from Regions I, II and CAR.

But the estimated costs spiked to P5 billion when reports from Region III came in.

“Out of the 272,006 hectares planted to rice, 269,694 have a chance of recovery,” Agriculture secretary Proceso Alcala said. He added that out of the total P6,362,740,064 worth of losses, damage to rice amounted to P5,7290.585,936, with 383,668 metric tons (MT) lost.

“So far the hardest hit region is Region III. For provinces, Aurora and Nueva Ecija,” NDRRMC executive director and civil defense undersecretary Alexander Pama said. 

Nearly 5,000 houses have been damaged by the rage of the typhoon. Of the provinces, Nueva Ecija tops the list with 2,935 damaged houses. (READ: Typhoon Lando: ‘Nearly 100%’ infra damage in Casiguran)

In a press briefing, the NDRRMC said 18 deaths have already been confirmed. The casualties came from Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya, Cagayan, Zambales, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Benguet, Ifugao, Abra and the National Capital Region.

Pama, however, said that figures may balloon as more reports from the local government units come in.

Flood Alert

As of 4 pm on Tuesday, state weather bureau PAGASA said Lando – now a tropical storm – has weakened further as it moves slowly towards Calayan and Babuyan group of islands.

Moderate to heavy rain until 3 am on Wednesday, October 21, is expected over Pangasinan. Flooding is also expected along areas near river systems, particularly Agno River and Pampanga River. (READ: #FloodPH: Warning for Pangasinan and Tarlac)

At leaast 635 flooding incidents have already been reported and monitored in Pangasinan, Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Bulacan, Pampanga, Zambales, Cagayan and Benguet.

About 500,000 people across 7 regions in Luzon have been affected, forcing some 107,000 people to take shelter in evacuation centers. 

The social welfare department, as well as local government units from Regions I, II, III, V, and Cordillera Administration Region, have provided P8.13 million worth of assistance to typhoon victims. — Rappler.com