Death toll from Typhoon 'Pablo' reaches at least 75 - reports

Photo taken by TV5 Davao shows flash floods in Barangay Linda, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley, at the height of Typhoon â??Pabloâ? December 4, 2012. (Photo: TV5 Davao)

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InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5

The death toll from typhoon "Pablo" (international code name: Bopha) climbed Tuesday night and reached at least 75 as initial reports of fatalities poured in from various areas in Mindanao.

The Philippine Army's 10th Infantry Division reported that 44 people died from a mudslide that hit Barangay Andap in New Bataan, Compostela Valley Tuesday morning. Among the fatalities was an Army sergeant who died after the outpost of the Army's 66th Infantry Battalion was swept by flash floods.

In Cateel, Davao Oriental, 23 people were reported to have died, many of whom were hit by falling debris as strong winds pounded the province.

Senior Superintendent Rommil Mitra, provincial police director, said the coastal town of Cateel was among the hardest hit in the province when "Pablo" made landfall early Tuesday.

"Actually sila yung matindi, yung bagyo na dumating sa kanila kasi lahat ng bahay sa poblacion including government buildings, police station, hospitals walang bubong. Maraming nabagsakan ng kahoy, naipit sa pader (Roofs of houses in the town proper including those of government buildings, police station, hospitals were blown off. Many were struck by falling trees, pinned down when walls collapsed)," Mitra said in a phone interview.

"Talagang malakas na hangin ang kanilang naramdaman (Strong winds were felt)," Mitra said, describing "Pablo's" effect in Cateel. "Ang pagka-explain sa akin ng hepe umaangat yung Army trucks, gumagalaw sa lakas ng hangin, nadadala ng hangin (As explained by the police chief, even Army trucks were moved by strong winds)."

Three people were reported killed in Caraga region and three from the towns of Manay, Taragona and Baganga, all in Davao Oriental.

Mitra feared that there were more victims in the coastal towns of Boston and Baganga but reports were scarce at this time as the towns' communication lines were cut off.

The NDRRMC in Manila earlier reported two fatalities, one each, in Misamis Oriental and Siquijor.

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