MANILA, Oct. 21 -- Almost 70,000 families in five regions in Luzon and the Visayas were affected by Tropical Storm Ramil, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Tuesday.

In its latest situational report, the NDRRMC said the 69,686 affected families are equivalent to 244,689 persons residing in 629 villages in Regions 2 (Cagayan Valley), 3 (Central Luzon), Calabarzon (Southern Tagalog), 6 (Western Visayas), and 8 (Eastern Visayas).

As of Tuesday noon, 3,882 families were receiving assistance in 261 evacuation centers while another 3,228 were being aided in other places, the NDRRMC said.

The number of reported fatalities still undergoing verification remained at seven, along with two missing and one inj...