6 reported dead as 'Luis,' 'Maymay,' habagat lash Luzon

MANILA, Philippines — Six people have reportedly died as tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay and the southwest monsoon or habagat brought days of heavy rains, flooding and landslides across parts of Luzon, the Office of Civil Defense said.

The reported deaths are still being validated, with two in Rodriguez, Rizal, two in Benguet and two in La Union, OCD Deputy Administrator and Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said in an interview with Dobol B TV on Saturday, August 8.

Seven injuries in Benguet are also being validated, Alejandro said.

The weather systems have affected around 74,800 families or 261,000 people as of Saturday morning, according to the OCD.

Around 2,500 families are staying in 83 evacuation centers, while about 2,200 individuals are being assisted outside evacuation centers.

"Tuloy-tuloy pa rin nating nararanasan ang southwest monsoon lalo na sa norte, sa Ilocos Sur, La Union, Abra, Benguet and parts of Region 3, even hanggang Mindoro," Alejandro said.

(We are still experiencing the southwest monsoon, particularly in the north, including Ilocos Sur, La Union, Abra, Benguet and parts of Region 3, extending as far south as Mindoro.)

Flooding, landslides

At least 63 areas have been reported flooded, most of them in Ilocos Region, Central Luzon and parts of Calabarzon.

Some roads remained impassable due to flooding, while landslides were reported in Ilocos Region and the Cordillera.

Alejandro advised those planning to travel to Baguio and other parts of the Cordillera to postpone their trips for now, particularly in Benguet.

"Hindi pa advisable na umakyat kasi may mga landslide at rockslide sa Benguet, he said.

(It is not advisable to travel up at this time because there are landslides and rockslides in Benguet.)

The recent rains have already caused deadly landslides in parts of Luzon.

The OCD said it would continue monitoring affected areas and providing assistance to communities at risk.

Rains to continue

Rain will continue to affect Luzon and Visayas over the next 24 hours due to habagat, PAGASA said, with monsoon rains expected to persist until next week.

Maymay made landfall in Magsingal, Ilocos Sur, before dawn on Thursday, August 6. It exited the Philippine landmass that afternoon before weakening into a low pressure area on Friday.

Despite Maymay's weakening, the threat of flooding and landslides remains as the southwest monsoon continues to affect parts of the country.

Meanwhile, Tropical Depression Luis dissipated on August 4.

The Philippines is among the first major landmasses exposed to the Pacific cyclone belt and is hit by an average of 20 tropical cyclones each year, leaving millions of people vulnerable to weather-related disasters.

Scientists have also warned that human-driven climate change is making extreme weather events more frequent, prolonged and intense. — with a report from Agence France Presse

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