Tropical Storm Crising continued to move away from the country on Saturday morning, but its lingering effects — alongside the enhanced Southwest Monsoon or Habagat — have already displaced thousands, flooded roads, and disrupted transportation across Luzon and nearby regions, according to the Office of Civil Defense.
In a radio interview with DZBB on Saturday morning, OCD OIC Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said the combined effects of Crising and the monsoon rains led to flooding in 53 areas, 26 of which remain submerged as of Saturday. Nearly 97,000 individuals, or close to 38,000 families, have been affected across multiple regions. At least 11,689 people are staying in 155 evacuation centers nationwide.
The weather disturbance also caused operational disruptions in critical infrastructure. 57 road sections were affected, with 26 still impassable. Six bridges sustained damage, four of which remain closed to traffic. Two provincial airports — Busuanga and San Jose in Occidental Mindoro — temporarily suspended operations due to poor weather conditions, while 41 seaports halted services, stranding over 200 passengers along with vehicles and cargo vessels.
Power outages were also reported in three areas. Meanwhile, almost 840 local government units suspended classes on Friday as a precaution due to persistent rains and flooding.
No casualties have been reported so far, although authorities are verifying one case of a missing person in Antique. In Pangasinan, the municipality of Umingan has declared a state of calamity to fast-track disaster response.
According to PAGASA’s 5:00 AM bulletin on Saturday, Tropical Storm Crising maintained its strength while moving west-northwestward toward southern China. It is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by late morning or early afternoon and may intensify into a Severe Tropical Storm later today.
Although Crising is leaving the country, the Southwest Monsoon is forecast to continue bringing strong to gale-force winds and heavy rainfall to large portions of Luzon, Visayas, and parts of Mindanao over the weekend.
For Saturday, affected areas include Metro Manila, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, the Bicol Region, and parts of the Visayas and northern Mindanao. By Sunday and Monday, widespread rains and gusty winds are expected to persist in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera, and surrounding areas.
Authorities are urging the public to remain alert and monitor further advisories, especially in flood-prone and landslide-susceptible areas.