Habagat causes floods, landslides in several areas

Flooding and landslides have affected several areas in the country as the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat continues to bring heavy rains on Tuesday.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported 13 fatalities as of 2 p.m. Monday, according to a report of GMA News’ Unang Balita.

These deaths were due to landslides, falling rocks, falling trees, and electrocution. Authorities were still assessing the extent of damage to agriculture, infrastructure and other sectors.

In Quezon City, more than 2,000 families or over 7,000 individuals from 19 barangays were staying in evacuation centers following flooding in several communities, according to a report of James Agustin.

In Barangay North Fairview, authorities implemented forced evacuation after the Tullahan River overflowed following the spilling of La Mesa Dam.

Around 80 houses were affected, with floodwaters reaching up to five feet.

At least 141 families or 400 individuals evacuated to North Fairview High School. Some residents had to be rescued through waist-deep floodwaters.

Face-to-face classes from kindergarten to senior high school, including Alternative Learning System classes, were suspended in Quezon City due to the bad weather brought by the Habagat.

In Malabon, more than 30 families from Barangay Potrero had evacuated preemptively as water levels rose, according to a report of Jhomer Apresto.

The water level at La Mesa Dam reached 80.22 meters at around 9 p.m., exceeding its critical level of 79.50 meters and spilling level of 80.15 meters.

Authorities warned that forced evacuation could be implemented in other parts of Malabon if the Tullahan River rises further. Up to 200 families in Barangay Tinajeros could be affected.

In Parañaque, high tide and heavy rains contributed to severe flooding, while large amounts of garbage were washed ashore near Baclaran Church, according to a report of John Consulta.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) attributed flooding in Las Piñas to overflowing rivers and creeks and clogged waterways.

Fourteen booster pumps in the area were also reported to be nonfunctional and were set for assessment.

In Rodriguez, Rizal, the local government declared a state of calamity following flooding caused by heavy rains and the overflow of the Montalban River.

Around 400 families or 1,500 individuals were staying at an evacuation center in Barangay San Jose.

Some residents said floodwaters reached above waist level, while one household reported that water reached the second floor of their home.

Residents remained in evacuation centers as intermittent rains raised concerns that floodwaters could rise again.

Meanwhile, a landslide in Barangay Guisad in Baguio City killed 10 residents.

Three others were rescued as authorities ordered the evacuation of other residents in the landslide-prone area.

The Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) will again bring cloudy skies and rain over Luzon on Tuesday, PAGASA reported. —KG, GMA News