MANILA, Philippines — Tropical cyclone wind signal No. 1 remained hoisted over Batanes yesterday afternoon as Typhoon Fabian moved away from the country, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.
Heavy flooding was reported in many parts of Metro Manila and Mimaropa following persistent rains brought by the southwest monsoon enhanced by Fabian (In-fa), the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.
Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon will continue to bring scattered to widespread rains over Ilocos region, Abra, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro and the northern portion of Palawan, including Calamian Islands.
Occasional gusty conditions associated with the enhanced southwest monsoon will be experienced over the Visayas and the rest of Luzon, especially in the coastal and upland localities of these areas, PAGASA said.
Incessant rains brought by the enhanced southwest monsoon in the past days flooded several areas in Luzon, including Metro Manila.
As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the center of the eye of Fabian was spotted 540 kilometers northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, with maximum sustained winds of 150 kph and gustiness of 185 kph, moving west northwest at 10 kph.
Fabian was expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility last night.
Rough to very rough seas will prevail over the seaboards of Luzon, including areas under signal No. 1, and Central and Western Visayas, the weather bureau said.
Flooding, damage
A total of 71 flooding incidents were reported in the National Capital Region and another 18 in Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan), with at least 13 road sections flooded, but 13 were still passable by vehicles.
In Masantol, Pampanga, 12 barangays were flooded while five landslides were recorded in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), four in Region VI and one in Mimaropa.
The NDRRMC said the monsoon rains displaced over 800 individuals, with 146 families or 522 persons staying in evacuation centers in Mimaropa, Region VI and CAR.
As of yesterday, one section of the national road in Benguet and another in Abra remained closed to traffic because of rockslides, according to Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar.
“Maintenance crew and equipment were deployed to conduct immediate clearing operation on national roads affected by intense rain,” Villar said.
In Bulacan, Bustos Dam released water yesterday morning, flooding 36 barangays in the towns Paombong, Hagonoy, Guiguinto, Balagtas and Marilao, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said.
In Mindoro Occidental, DPWH Regional Office 4B dispatched equipment and maintenance crew to clear the washed out approaches of the detour bridge for the Araang Bridge along Mindoro West Coastal Road.
PAGASA also issued a Lightning Red Alert twice yesterday, suspending all ground operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
The first one was issued at 3:59 p.m. and lowered by 4:36 p.m., followed by another alert at 5:28 p.m., lowered by 5:54 p.m.
Warning
Meanwhile, Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire yesterday warned the public against wading in floodwaters due to the threat of leptospirosis.
“Rainy days are here so we should always be careful especially when wading in floodwaters. Leptospirosis can be acquired from floodwaters contaminated with the urine of animals,” she noted.
Leptospirosis can lead to kidney damage, meningitis or inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord, respiratory distress, liver failure and even death.
“If you cannot avoid wading in floodwaters, wear protective gear like boots,” she added.
DOH data showed 589 leptospirosis cases from Jan. 1 to June 19, about 13 percent higher compared to the same period last year. – Romina Cabrera, Ric Sapnu, Rudy Santos, Jose Rodel Clapano, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Sheila Crisostomo
Related video: