NDRRMC: Over 250,000 families affected by days of rain, flooding

MANILA, Philippines — More than 250,000 households in seven regions were affected by the flooding and continuous downpour caused by the southwest monsoon enhanced by tropical cyclones that hit the country in recent weeks.

According to the National Risk Reduction and Management Council, as reported by state-run Philippine News Agency, there were 250,000 families or 1,132,666 individuals affected by Tropical Storm Henry, Tropical Storm Inday and Tropical Depression Josie as of Tuesday.

These people reside in 1,011 barangays located in Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Cordillera Administrative Region and the National Capital Region.

There were also 14,551 families (61,674 individuals) being aided in 302 evacuation centers.

Four people were confirmed dead in the aftermath of heavy rains and flooding.

NDRRMC added that the damage was placed at P817 million with P456 million for infrastructure and P362 million for agriculture.

The province of Pangasinan has been placed under a state of calamity Monday following the heavy rains and flooding caused by “Inday” and “Josie.”

Tropical Depression Josie left the Philippine area of responsibility Monday but state weather bureau PAGASA is monitoring a low pressure area off Central Luzon. The weather disturbance is expected to develop into a tropical cyclone within the next 24 hours. — Gaea Katreena Cabico