Devastating floods and landslides leave 17 dead and over half a million affected in the Philippines

Heavy rain and strong winds, caused by the combined effects of a low-pressure area, northeast monsoon, and shearline, have been affecting several parts of the Philippines in recent days, resulting in floods, and landslides that caused widespread damage and left at least 17 people dead. Many of the affected areas are still recovering from severe weather in late December, which resulted in at least 52 deaths.

The worst affected regions include Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, and BARMM.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the floods and landslides in recent days have resulted in 17 deaths, 7 injuries, and 2 missing persons.

Over 71 000 people have been displaced and are currently staying in 123 evacuation centers across the country, while over half a million have been affected in total.

The NDRRMC reported a total of 687 flood incidents and 31 landslides in affected regions, with the highest number of affected people being reported in Central Luzon, Mimaropa, and Davao Region.

Additionally, at least 192 houses have been destroyed, with the majority of them being in Mimaropa.

At 15:00 UTC on January 13, the low pressure area was estimated based on all available data in the vicinity of Carmen, Surigao del Dur (9.2°N, 126.0°E). This weather disturbance remains less likely to develop into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours.

Over the next 24 hours, moderate to heavy rain is expected across most parts of central and southern Philippines, with extreme flood advisories in effect for Eastern Visayas, Caraga, Zamboanga Peninsula, and BARMM.¹

Many of these affected areas are still recovering from severe weather in late December, which resulted in at least 52 deaths.

The Philippines is prone to natural disasters, and the government and local communities are working together to provide aid and support to those affected.

References:

¹ Philippines – Effects of shear line, floods and landslides, update – DG ECHO – January 13, 2023

Featured image credit: JMA/Himawari-9, Zoom Earth, The Watchers. Acquired at 07:20 UTC on January 13, 2023