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At least 5 dead, 728 000 affected as monsoon rains hit Philippines

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Heavy monsoon rains affecting the Philippines over the past 7 days claimed lives of at least 5 people and affected more than 700 000 people, officials said Sunday, July 22, 2018.

While Tropical Depression "Josie" approached the country on July 21, two previous storms "Inday" and "Henry" (known internationally as Ampil and Son-tinh) enhanced seasonal southwest monsoon (known in the Philippines as Habagat), further worsening flooding and causing floods and landslides which affected a total of 728 003 people and killed at least 5.

The floods affected 585 villages in 7 regions, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

On the same day (July 21), Dagupan City in Pangasinan was placed under a state of calamity due to massive floods which affected 32 barangays, forcing evacuations. 

Major roads experienced flooding in some parts of Makati City, particularly in Buendia, in the main business district.

Authorities urged residents living in hazard areas of Marikina City to prepare for forcible evacuation as waters in the Marikina River rose to dangerous levels.

Angat and Bustos Dam in Central Luzon continued to release water, aggravating the flooding situation in the areas of Meycauayan, Marilao and Calumpit in Bulacan.

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On Sunday, July 22, moderate to heavy rainfall hit Metro Manila, leaving roads and highways under water, Central Luzon, the Ilocos Region, the Cordillera Administrative Region, the rest of Cagayan Valley, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Rizal, Cavite, and Batangas.

This storm is expected to leave the Philippines on July 23, and head toward Shanghai, China (landfall in eastern China is expected on July 24).

However, monsoon rains will continue affecting large areas of Luzon and portions of the Visayas.

"Residents of the affected areas, especially those living near river channels, in low-lying areas and in mountainous areas are advised to take appropriate actions against possible flooding and landslide, coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management offices," the NDRRMC said.

This is especially important as many areas have already been saturated with the heavy rainfall in the past week. 

Featured image credit: I Think

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One Comment

  1. The God’s of the kingdoms of the earth cannot save! But for those who did what he please, for you no disasters will come near you like what you see, happening in the hole world today but by August are sooner you will began to come home. To a land that is in the north the center of the earth the garden of God and to his king! Act 7:5-7 Jeremiah 50:1-46

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