More than 9,000 barangays nationwide are at risk of rain-induced landslides and flooding from 8 to 11 August as the southwest monsoon, or habagat, continues to bring heavy rains, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) said.

The MGB identified 9,096 barangays susceptible to landslides and flooding during the period, with the Ilocos Region recording the highest number at 2,933, followed by Central Luzon with 1,997 and CALABARZON with 1,806.

The National Capital Region had 1,403 barangays at risk, while the Cordillera Administrative Region had 707 and MIMAROPA 133. Western Visayas and Cagayan Valley had 90 and 47 barangays at risk, respectively.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said six people had died and seven were injured in incidents linked to tropical depressions “Luis” and “Maymay” and the southwest monsoon.

OCD Information Officer Diego Mariano said two of the fatalities were from La Trinidad, Benguet, and two from Rodriguez, Rizal, all due to landslides. The other two deaths, one in Luna, La Union, were caused by drowning and electrocution.

Around 74,000 families, or 261,000 people, were affected by the weather disturbances, with about 2,500 families staying in evacuation centers, according to the OCD. Initial reports also placed infrastructure damage at more than P105 million and agricultural damage at P3.5 million.

‘Kontra Baha’

Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways said it was monitoring flooded areas nationwide to determine flood depth, how long water remains and possible causes of stagnant flooding.

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said the monitoring would help identify areas where flood-control measures need to be improved and determine whether projects are allowing floodwaters to recede quickly enough for roads to become passable.

He said the department was strengthening its Oplan Kontra Baha program, which involves deploying additional personnel and equipment for dredging, clearing and declogging major waterways.

The program covers Metro Manila, the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Tarlac and Naga, as well as areas in the Visayas and Mindanao, including Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Davao and Maguindanao.

Dizon said flooded areas would be documented through video, with the recordings used to measure the depth of floodwaters and the time they take to subside.