At least three died and five others were injured amid the continuous rains brought by the southwest monsoon or “habagat,” the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) confirmed on Sunday (July 25).
In a DZBB radio interview, NDRRMC Executive Director Undersecretary Ricardo Jalad said a woman from Baguio City died in a vehicular accident caused by a fallen tree, while the two other fatalities were caused by a lightning strike in Pinili, Ilocos Norte.
NDRRMC reported that there are a total of 87,000 persons affected by the habagat.
Some 22,000 individuals were evacuated to 157 evacuation centers, while at least 178 barangays in Central Luzon, Mimaropa, and the National Capital Region were flooded.
Rescue and relief efforts
The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) carried out rescue, relief, and clearing operations to assist residents and clear debris in many parts of Luzon.
In a series of Facebook posts, the PNP shared photos of their rescue and clearing operations in areas in Cordillera Administrative Region that had fallen trees along roads and soil erosion among houses.
Meanwhile, the PCG distributed relief supplies to about 2,000 affected residents in Cavite and other evacuation areas.
– Report from PTV News / CF – jlo