TROPICAL Depression Neneng and the southwest monsoon are now less likely to bring significant rainfall over the western section of Luzon. However, scattered rains and thunderstorms may still be experienced over Metro Manila and other areas, the weather bureau said.
In its weather advisory issued at 11 a.m. on Thursday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Neneng continues to move slowly over the coastal waters of Eastern Taiwan.
However, severe winds continue to affect land areas, as the southwest monsoon will bring strong to gale-force gusts over most of Luzon and the Visayas, the Davao Region, Northern Mindanao, and Zamboanga del Norte, particularly in coastal and upland areas exposed to winds.
Aside from Metro Manila, which is reeling from severe flooding because of the nonstop rain over the past two weeks, the weather bureau reported that scattered rains and thunderstorms may still be experienced over Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, Batanes, Cagayan, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan until Friday morning.
The center of Tropical Depression Neneng was spotted 450 km North of Itbayat, Batanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h and is moving slowly north-northeastward.
NDRRMC: Death toll now 29
THE National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), meanwhile, reported that the casualty count due to the combined effects of Tropical Cyclones Luis, Maymay and the southwest monsoon continues to increase.
As of 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, the NDRRMC said 29 people have been confirmed dead, 19 injured, and three others missing. Most of them were killed by landslides and drowning.
NDRRMC said the inclement weather that caused flash floods and triggered landslides affected a total of 1.8 million families, or 6.5 million people.
Despite the improving weather, evacuation of affected families to safer grounds continues.
The NDRRMC said a total of 13,957 families or 47,277 persons are currently receiving care, including food, water, and medicine, in 628 different evacuation centers.
The number of damaged houses is currently placed at 2,108 after being submerged under floodwaters.
The damage to public and private infrastructure has now reached P4.67 billion, while damage to agriculture is pegged at P1.42 billion.
The government said it has spent a total of P96.8 billion to assist the affected families.