By Martin Sadongdong Tropical depression "Ambo" (International name: Vongfong) has affected 9,791 families or 40,980 individuals in the country as it continues to move towards the northern part of the country, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Sunday. National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Executive Director Ricardo Jalad (MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) NDRRMC Executive Director Ricardo Jalad said the affected families were recorded in 44 cities and municipalities in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon (Calabarzon or Region 4A), and Eastern Visayas (Region 8). As of this writing, the NDRRMC has not reported any changes on the casualty count. The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Region 8 earlier said that there were five reported injured individuals in Eastern Visayas. The NDRRMC is also verifying reports that there were four persons who died in Eastern Samar due to Ambo. "We have to make sure that the reports of casualties that we are receiving from the ground are really related to Ambo so their families will receive the necessary assistance from the national government," said NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Timbal. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Adminsitration (Pagasa), Ambo was almost stationary and located at 105 km west northwest of Calayan, Cagayan as of 1 a.m. Sunday. It was packing a maximum center winds of 45 km/hour and gustiness of 55 km/hour. It was forecasted to be at 165 km north northeast of Basco, Batanes by Sunday night and out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Monday as it weakens into a low pressure area in the next 12 to 24 hours. Damage to agri-infra Meanwhile, Jalad said at least P79,926,565.30 damage to agriculture was incurred in Bicol (Region 5). Among those affected were rice and corn fields, high-value crops, livestock, fisheries and coconut farms in Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon. The San Pedro Bridge in Madella, Quirino was closed to traffic due to flooding while the Marikina to Infanta Road was rendered not passable because of a landslide, Jalad said. On-going clearing operations are being conducted at JCT Taft - Oras - San Policarpo - Arteche Road which was earlier reported closed to the public because of fallen trees. Other closed road sections include Arteche - Jipapad - Las Navas - Rawis road in Eastern Samar due to flooding; and Lubuagan - Batongbuhay road in Kalinga province due to rock collapse and road slip. Power interruption Further, power interruption was reported in at least 200 areas in 15 provinces of Central Luzon (Region 3); Calabarzon; Mindoro provinces, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan (Mimaropa or Region 4B); Bicol Region; and Eastern Visayas. As of Saturday, only 14 cities and municipalities reported that power was already restored in their areas. Stranded A total of 243 passengers, 284 rolling cargoes, and six vessels were also reported stranded in Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, and Eastern Visayas, Jalad said. Relief assistance Meanwhile, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) has airlifted 1,100 boxes (19,360 kgs) of relief goods each composing of 6 six kilos of rice, canned goods, and coffee to Catarman, Northern Samar on Saturday afternoon. A C-130 transport plane carried the relief packs which were received by Neda Gelatado, the Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) Team Leader for Northern Samar. The relief packs will be distributed to affected families who were forced to leave their homes and stay in evacuation centers at the height of the typhoon.