Death toll from habagat, recent storms rises to 38

The combined impact of the southwest monsoon (habagat) and tropical cyclones "Crising," "Dante" and "Emong" has left 38 people dead, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Sunday.

Of the 38 reported fatalities, only three have been confirmed so far — one each from the Ilocos Region, Northern Mindanao and Caraga. The remaining 35 are still undergoing validation.

The agency also reported 33 injuries, with 24 already validated. Most of these injuries — 20 in total — were recorded in the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Meanwhile, eight individuals remain missing. Four of them have been confirmed, while the others are still being verified.

The widespread flooding and landslides triggered by the storms and heavy rains have affected over 2.3 million families, or roughly 8.6 million individuals across multiple regions.

Of those displaced, 24,771 families are currently staying in 838 evacuation centers, while another 32,320 families have been assisted outside evacuation sites.

Agricultural losses have also been significant, with damages reaching P3.28 billion. Central Luzon recorded the highest losses at P1.827 billion, followed by MIMAROPA with P405.6 million, CALABARZON with P380.9 million, and Western Visayas with P156.9 million.

Authorities continue to monitor affected areas and provide relief and rehabilitation support to communities in need.