Philippines Battles Extensive Flooding: 8.4 Million Affected as Habagat Intensifies

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Widespread flooding has impacted approximately 2.4 million families, or 8.4 million individuals, across 10 regions spanning Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, triggered by intense rainfall, the southwest monsoon known as Habagat, and previous typhoons, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

As of Sunday evening at 6:00 PM, OCD records indicate a death toll of 32, with 19 individuals injured and three still reported missing.

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The affected areas encompass the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Metro Manila, highlighting the extensive reach of the disaster across the Philippine archipelago, which is highly susceptible to such weather phenomena due to its geographical location and exposure to numerous tropical cyclones annually.

Currently, 35,500 families, totaling 122,500 individuals, are seeking refuge in 1,115 operational evacuation centers, underscoring the significant displacement caused by the floods and the ongoing need for humanitarian aid.

Meanwhile, orange and yellow rainfall warnings remain in effect for several areas in Luzon, with parts of Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, and Bulacan under an orange warning, indicating a persistent threat of severe flooding.

Other areas, including Nueva Ecija, Metro Manila, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, and Bataan, are under a yellow rainfall warning, signaling potential flooding in low-lying areas and near river channels.

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Tarlac has also declared a state of calamity following the collapse of two bridges within the province, bringing the total number of provinces and local government units under such a declaration to 118, which enables the release of emergency funds, facilitates aid distribution, and imposes price controls on basic necessities to aid affected communities.

The weather bureau reported that Tropical Depression Pilandok continues to intensify the Habagat, even without directly impacting the country, a common phenomenon where distant tropical cyclones enhance the monsoon, drawing moisture and causing heavy rains over the Philippine landmass; as of Sunday afternoon, the depression was located 1,180 kilometers east of Extreme Northern Luzon, moving slowly northwest.

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