NDRRMC Record: Habagat Death Toll Reaches 14

Habagat deaths continue to rise as evacuees remain on evacuation centers

It seems that the government has left out disasters while it is busy on campaigning against illegal drugs.

This is even President Rodrigo Duterte, on his first cabinet meeting on June 30, ordered the executive director of National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to try to improve emergency response in times of disasters like typhoons, after the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda.

However, the Philippines, especially the residents of Metro Manila, has not prepared for the effects of southwest monsoon or ‘habagat’ enhanced by low pressure area.

As we experience ‘habagat’, the number of deaths also rise.

The death toll from the heavy rains and floods brought by the southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” climbed to 14 as of Wednesday night, the council reported.

The rains, which were caused by the southwest monsoon (habagat) also left eight persons missing while the number of wounded persons stood at six.

The latest fatality was a fisherman from Brooke’s Point, Palawan who had previously been reported missing.

“The victim went fishing despite unfavorable weather and sea condition in Barangay (village) Calasaguen in Brooke’s Point on August 13,” the NDRRMC said.

The NDRRMC said 262,271 have been affected in CALABARZON, Western Visayas, National Capital Region and Cordillera Administrative Region.

There were still 17,896 persons housed in evacuation centers in the said areas.

The NDRRMC also reported that 24 roads have not been passable in the provinces of Abra, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and La Union.

While the southwest monsoon continued to prevail in Northern and Central Luzon, the weather has improved in most parts of Luzon as of Thursday.

Because of the flooding, many areas have suspended classes on Thursday which includes the following: