NDRRMC on red alert as heavy monsoon rains affect 7 regions

THE National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) is on red alert as a total of 85,395 families, or 305,481 persons, across seven regions in the country, have so far been affected by the southwest monsoon enhanced by two weather disturbances.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the rains were enhanced by Super Typhoon “Goring,” which has since left the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), and Severe Tropical Storm “Hanna,” which is forecast to enter the country in 36 hours.

In its situational report, the NDRRMC said those affected are from the Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas and the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR). Calabarzon is Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon. Mimaropa is Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan. Metro Manila is not included in the list although floods induced by the heavy rains paralyzed most of the metropolis as local authorities were forced to suspend classes and work and ferry hundreds of residents who were stranded earlier in the day.

A total of 3,559 persons were pre-emptively evacuated and 68,723 individuals were displaced.

Of those displaced, 10,468 families are currently sheltered inside 469 evacuation centers.

One person has been reported missing, the NDRRMC said.

Meanwhile, damage to infrastructure has reached P41.175 million.

Power interruptions were also reported in certain parts of Cagayan, Calabarzon and Western Visayas. Water supply problems were also encountered in two areas in Calabarzon and Western Visayas.

At the same time, class suspensions in 186 areas were reported while work in 50 places has been canceled.

The national government has provided assistance worth P11,002,449 to those affected by the calamity.