Metro Manila, Philippines – The combined effects of the recent tropical cyclones and the southwest monsoon left 33 dead, while affecting 8.8 million people across 10 regions in August, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said Monday, Aug. 31.
OCD Disaster Preparedness Service Director Vicente Tomas said the death toll rose by one from the 32 fatalities reported earlier in the day, with the latest fatality involving a drowning incident in Caloocan City.
The latest figures do not include 13 people reported missing in Zambales and four in Tarlac, which Tomas said are still being verified.
Damage to infrastructure and agriculture was estimated at P8.44 billion, while government assistance provided so far totaled P1.77 billion.
Some 164,500 people, or 46,900 families, are staying in 1,365 evacuation centers.
The Department of Health (DOH) reported 5,831 medical consultations among evacuees, with acute respiratory infections, skin diseases, hypertension, fever, wounds and bruises among the most commonly monitored conditions.
DOH officials are also monitoring waterborne diseases, influenza, leptospirosis and dengue, while doxycycline for leptospirosis prevention is available in central and regional offices.
Health Undersecretary Gloria Balboa cautioned against indiscriminate distribution of the antibiotic, saying its dosage and frequency depend on the level of exposure to floodwater.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development said it has distributed 2.3 million family food boxes and has another 3.5 million ready to augment the needs of local governments.
Two tropical depressions enhance habagat
According to PAGASA, two tropical depressions outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) are enhancing the southwest monsoon, bringing heavy rains to Northern and Central Luzon.
Tropical Depression Saudel, formerly known as “Obet,” could turn northeastward in the coming days and may reenter the PAR. Another tropical depression west-northwest of Itbayat, Batanes, could also enter the PAR or be drawn into Saudel’s circulation, PAGASA said.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau identified 3,786 barangays that could be affected by rain-induced landslides and flooding based on rainfall forecasts and geohazard maps, down from 5,177 identified using earlier data on Aug. 30.
Asked when flooding in several areas would subside, OCD Deputy Administrator Rafaelito Alejandro said authorities could not give a definite timeline.
He said some local officials, particularly in Pampanga, reported flooding in areas that do not usually experience it.
Meanwhile, Alejandro also said some areas have been without electricity for several days, adding that the concern had been relayed to the Department of Energy.
“Kahit bigyan ng tuloy-tuloy na relief goods, pag hindi maayos yung power ay magka-problema pa rin,” he said.
The OCD said authorities continue to assess the situation daily and conduct response and relief operations.
