Tropical depression Kai-tak (locally named Urduja) hit the Eastern Visayas region of the Philippines last Saturday and has killed at least 31 people, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said yesterday.
The deaths come from the provinces of Biliran, Leyte, Samar, and Eastern Samar.
Most of the fatalities were caused by six landslides in different parts of Biliran where many houses remain buried under mud and rocks.
The Philippine Star even reported that the death toll caused by the typhoon could be as high as 40 people.
Apart from the landslides, Kai-tak also broke five bridges, including the Caraycaray Bridge that connected the island province of Biliran to Leyte, effectively isolating the province.
In a report on the Philippine Star, Leyte Gov. Dominic Petilla said that this means any relief goods to be sent to Biliran will need to be delivered via Coast Guard boats.
About 80,000 Biliran residents have evacuated the area, radio station DZRH reported
Biliran, along with some parts of neighboring provinces like Leyte and Samar have been declared as being under a state of calamity.
President Rodrigo Duterte visited Biliran yesterday. According to Roque, the President assured during his trip that 25,000 packs of food were on their way. He also promised to have the Air Force airlift food to the area once it runs out of food and demanded that the Department of Public Works and Highways repair two damaged bridges in less than 30 days.
Eastern Visayas, the region where Biliran is located, was also the most affected area when typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines in 2013.
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