AS flooding brought about by the inclement weather continues to grip low-lying areas in Metro Manila and other areas, Luzon will continue to experience heavy rainfall in the next four days, threatening to cause more flooding, trigger flashfloods and landslides, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported.
Six people have been confirmed dead as of August 9 due to the combined effects of Tropical Cyclones Luis, Maymay and the enhanced southwest monsoon.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said that two of the fatalities were reported in La Trinidad, Benguet due to a landslide, two due to a rockslide in Rodriguez, Rizal, and two in Luna, La Union – one due to drowning and another to electrocution.
The inclement weather also injured seven people, including five in Baguio City due to a landslide, one in Kapangan, Benguet due to a vehicular accident, and one La Trinidad, Benguet due to a landslide.
Pagasa said that even though Maymay and Luis are no longer affecting the country’s weather system, the prevailing southwest monsoon will continue to induce rain in Luzon.
In its severe weather outlook issued at 6 a.m. on August 9, the weather bureau said Benguet will continue to experience 100 to 200 mm of rain until Monday.
Meanwhile, 100 to 200 mm of rain is expected to pour in Ilocos Sur, La Union, Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, and Occidental Mindoro until August 10, and La Union, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan and Occidental Mindoro will have 100 to 200 mm of rain until Tuesday.
Zambales, Bataan and Occidental Mindoro will also experience heavy rains from Wednesday to Thursday.
Under these rainfall conditions, widespread incidents of severe flooding and landslides are expected, the weather bureau said.
Other areas in Luzon affected by the southwest monsoon or habagat will experience possible localized flooding mainly in areas that are urbanized, low-lying, or near rivers.
Landslides are also possible in highly susceptible areas, the weather bureau said.
So far, the NDRRMC said the inclement weather has affected nearly all of Luzon, affecting 110,000 families or 382,000 people.
According to the NDRRMC, the inclement weather has caused floodings that compelled the evacuation of over 2,200 families who are now being provided care inside 86 different evacuation centers.
A total of 148 houses were also damaged by flooding, which submerged communities, paralyzed traffic, and damaged roads and other public infrastructure.
The NDRRMC said the government has provided P13.21 worth of assistance to the affected families through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), concerned local government units and other partners.