Floods leave 6 dead; more storms ahead

The combined wrath of severe tropical storm “Crising” and the intensified southwest monsoon or habagat has left at least six people dead, five injured and six missing, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Tuesday. While two fatalities have been confirmed, four others are still undergoing validation.

Over 1.2 million individuals, or 362,465 families, have been affected by the continuous rains and flooding across nine regions, particularly Central Luzon, Calabarzon, parts of the Ilocos Region and Mimaropa and Metro Manila.

Of this number, nearly 5,000 families are housed in 277 evacuation centers, with many more choosing to stay with relatives or in makeshift shelters.

The rains triggered widespread flash floods, landslides, road closures and dam overflows.

As of Tuesday, 173 roads and 11 bridges remained impassable, according to NDRRMC’s situation report.

Infrastructure losses have reached P413 million, while damage to agriculture is estimated at P54 million — a blow to many rural farmers whose crops were just recovering from earlier dry spells.

Here comes ‘Dante’

As if the current situation weren’t dire enough, PAGASA announced Tuesday that the low pressure area (LPA) east of Aurora has intensified into tropical depression “Dante,” adding to the ongoing weather disturbance.

Two more LPAs are being closely monitored. One was spotted 1,140 kilometers east of Central Luzon and is likely to strengthen into a tropical depression within 24 hours. Another LPA was located 225 kilometers east-southeast of Basco, Batanes, also with a medium chance of intensifying.

A third LPA outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) is being watched, with medium potential to develop. These systems are expected to enhance the southwest monsoon further, prolonging heavy rains in already soaked areas.

Red rainfall alerts — the highest level in PAGASA’s three-tier system — were hoisted Tuesday afternoon over Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite (including Bacoor, Dasmariñas, Kawit, Imus, and General Trias), Batangas and Occidental Mindoro.

Red alert means serious flooding is expected, especially in low-lying and coastal areas.

Orange warnings, which signal intense rainfall, are up in Rizal, Laguna, Zambales, Bulacan, and southern Cavite towns. Yellow alert, indicating possible flooding, is in effect in Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and Quezon.

La Mesa overflows

PAGASA warned that La Mesa Dam in Quezon City has started to overflow, with water levels reaching 80.17 meters, above its overflow threshold.

The Tullahan River may inundate areas of Quezon City, Valenzuela, Caloocan, Malabon and Navotas. Residents along the riverbanks are urged to evacuate as a precaution.

In Northern Luzon, Ambuklao and Binga Dams in Benguet opened three gates each to release excess water. Ambuklao released water at 243.26 cubic meters per second, while Binga discharged 218.80 cms, both nearing spilling levels.

Marcos: Gov’t ready for floods

Despite being on an official visit to Washington, D.C., President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued a recorded message assuring Filipinos that government agencies were fully mobilized to respond to the crisis.

“Before we left for the US, I had instructed all relevant government agencies to prepare for flooding due to the heavy rains,” the President said. “Even now, we continue to monitor the situation and send support where it’s most needed.”

The President tasked the Office of Civil Defense, along with the departments of Health, Public Works, Social Welfare, Energy, Transportation, Interior and Science and Technology, to work in close coordination. He added that relief goods, medical teams, and essential services — including clean water, electricity, and transport assistance — are being deployed to hard-hit areas.

Marcos also urged the public to stay alert: “Please listen to your local government units and the national government. Follow their advice so you don’t end up in danger,” he said in Filipino.

In his message, the President underscored the increasing severity of weather disturbances, which he linked to climate change. “We are always here to provide the necessary services in the face of the challenges brought by climate change,” he said. “Let’s make sure the government’s capacity to respond to situations like this is further strengthened.”