More than 600 areas in Luzon swamped by floods

MANILA, Philippines - More than 1.2 million people in 16 provinces in six regions in Luzon have been affected by non-stop rains since Sunday caused by the storm-enhanced southwest monsoon, which has flooded more than 600 areas, the state disaster response agency reported Thursday.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that a total of 267,551 families or 1,226,508 individuals in 1,181 barangays in Ilocos, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Cordillera and Metro Manila have been affected by the monsoon rains.

Of the said number, a total of 81,876 families or 380,518 are displaced with 41,344 families or 186,741 individuals staying in 590 evacuation centers scaterred in the six regions.

The NDRRMC said a total of 662 areas in 88 municipalities in Ilocos, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Metro Manila have been flooded. Majority of the number are recorded in Calabarzon, particularly in Laguna and Cavite, and in Pampanga, where almost all of the barangays have been flooded.

Several areas in the affected provinces have been placed under a state of calamity. These areas include

CENTRAL LUZON
Bataan
Pampanga

CALABARZON
Cavite
Laguna
Rizal

METRO MANILA
Paranaque
Muntinlupa
Malabon
Marikina
Pateros
Pasay

ILOCOS SUR
Candon City
Narvacan
Gregorio del Pilar
Sta. Maria

PANGASINAN
Dagupan City
Sta. Barbara
Calasiao

CENTRAL LUZON

Tarlac City
Obando and Hagonoy in Bulacan

CALABARZON

Abra de Ilog and Barangay Victoria, Lagnay in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro

All emergency assets of the NDRRMC including the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, Philippine National Police and several other concerned agencies of the government remained on red alert due to the continuous rains.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said monsoon rains will continue to hit Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Ilocos and Cordillera on Thursday.

Other areas in Luzon, including Cagayan Valley, the whole region of Calabarzon, Mindoro provinces and Romblon will experience moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms.