MORE than 180 areas across northern Luzon, CALABARZON, and MIMAROPA have been submerged by flooding triggered by the relentless Southwest Monsoon or Habagat, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) confirmed on Sunday.
OCD Deputy Administrator Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV reported that as of 6:00 a.m., flooding persisted in 182 locations, with widespread inundation observed overnight in Metro Manila, nearby provinces, and farther northern regions. The severe weather has affected approximately 110,000 families, with 2,200 families or 7,300 individuals still sheltered in 86 evacuation centers as of August 8.
Landslides and rockslides have added to the danger, with the bulk of incidents recorded in Region 1 and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). Alejandro noted that Benguet and Baguio City were particularly hit, with rockslides reported in several areas. Authorities are still compiling full data on the extent of these geological hazards. Tragically, the OCD confirmed six fatalities from the combined effects of the monsoon and recent tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay, while seven others sustained injuries in Benguet. No missing persons have been reported so far.
The heavy rains have also disrupted education across a wide swath of the country, with 569 local government units declaring class suspensions to ensure the safety of students and personnel. The continued downpour has kept waterways high and ground saturated, raising risks of further flash floods and landslides even during brief periods of intense rainfall.
State weather bureau PAGASA warned that the Habagat will continue to dump rain across the country on Sunday. Heavier monsoon rains are forecast for Ilocos Sur, La Union, Abra, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro. Meanwhile, Metro Manila, the rest of the Ilocos Region and CAR, Nueva Vizcaya, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, and Antique will experience occasional rains. Residents in flood‑prone and mountainous areas are advised to remain on alert and follow the instructions of local disaster response teams.
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