18 deaths reported in Surigao del Norte due to Odette, figure expected to rise

ABS-CBN News

<figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1867003" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>MANILA — At least 18 people have died in Surigao del Norte after the powerful Typhoon Odette pummeled the province last week, local officials said Sunday.</p><p>It was unclear if the numbers have been included in the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council&#x27;s official tally.</p><p>Of the figure, 12 fatalities came from the popular tourist destination of Siargao Island, where the typhoon first made landfall last Thursday, packing maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/16/21/typhoon-odette-makes-landfall-over-siargao">Typhoon Odette makes landfall over Siargao</a></li></ul><p>The other deaths are from Surigao City and the municipalities of Claver, San Francisco and Tubod.</p><p>The provincial administrator said the death toll is expected to rise as reports from Siargao Island, where communication lines are still down, continue to come in. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/17/21/watch-typhoon-odette-leaves-siargao-devastated">WATCH: Typhoon Odette leaves Siargao devastated</a></li></ul><p>Officials said there was still difficulty in reaching Siargao after the island&#x27;s pier sustained damage from Odette, the strongest typhoon to enter the Philippines this year.</p><p>The Caraga regional police has deployed 400 officers in Surigao del Norte to assist in clearing and relief operations, and maintaining peace and order.</p><p>Some of the cops will be deployed in Siargao and Dinagat Islands, where the typhoon made second landfall.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/19/21/dinagat-islands-leveled-to-the-ground-by-odette-pio">Official says Dinagat Islands &#x27;leveled to the ground&#x27; by Typhoon Odette, seeks help</a></li></ul><p>Police were also deployed in supermarkets, where long lines of people buying supplies have formed.</p><p>Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it delivered the first batch of relief goods for families affected by the storm in Surigao del Norte.</p><p>The supplies — which arrived in Siargao Island and Del Carmen town — include hygiene kits, food packs, clothes, vitamins, pillows, comforters, and blankets.</p><p>Forty-seven tourists who were stranded in Siargao Island during the storm have also safely returned to Manila, transported by the flight that carried the relief supplies, the PCG said in a statement.</p><div><strong>— Report from Dennis Datu, ABS-CBN News</strong></div>

At least 18 people have died in Surigao del Norte after the powerful Typhoon Odette pummeled the province last week, local officials said Sunday.