THE death toll of the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that devastated Negros Oriental last Feb. 6 rose to 51 yesterday with 62 others still listed as missing and feared dead.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said the latest fatality was identified as Lorey Pabol, 39, of Bgy. Solonggon, La Libertad town.

At least 112 were hurt and 62 missing, including 26 from Guihulngan City and 36 from La Libertad town, NDRRMC chair Undersecretary Benito Ramos said.

Ramos said the quake had affected 63,697 families or some 320,000 people living in 180 villages in nine towns and two cities in Negros Oriental and Cebu.

Of these, 4,790 families or 23,490 people are being in 74 evacuation centers, he said.

The NDRRMC also placed the damage to infrastructure such as roads and bridges at P384 million. At least 6,306 houses were destroyed and 9,177 partially damaged in the two provinces, majority of them in Negros Oriental.

Also yesterday, the NDRRMC said heavy rains triggered by a low pressure area in Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao and Caraga region have affected 6,000 families or about 30,000 residents in six barangays and 11 municipalities in four provinces in the three regions.

Ramos said they have recorded two deaths so far. One was identified as Ceferino Cabellero, 53, crewman of a fishing boat that capsized off Bgy. 3, Mercedes, Camarines Norte, and Gerito Leve, 46, who was buried in a landslide in Bgy. Norte Lacong, Tagudin, Ilocos Sur.

Missing was Eleazar Valiaron of Angeles, Pampanga.

Ramos said the low-pressure area in the three regions have triggered four flash floods, five landslides and one sea mishap.