Rain affects nearly a million in 11 regions

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Some 199,485 families (or about one million individuals based on an average of 5 per family) across 11 regions in the country have been affected by heavy flooding and landslides caused by incessant rain, authorities said.

Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman said on Tuesday, August 7, the government has mobilized teams to extend relief to the families, many of whom are now located in evacuation centers. (See list of evacuation centers in Metro Manila here.)

Soliman said there are 100 evacuation centers in 11 regions affected by monsoon rain, 42 of which are in the National Capital Region. A total of 46 cities and towns were flooded Tuesday, according to government data.

Damage to crops and property was estimated at P411 million as of Tuesday morning.

Earlier, at least 20,000 people were reported displaced as water from spilling dams and rivers covered at least 50% of Metro Manila.

Fifteen national roads in the capital are also impassable due to high water levels.

Soliman said the government has so far spent P12.9 million in relief assistance to the affected families. Of the amount, P6.1 million came from the DSWD, P6.2 million from local government units, and P654,000 from non-government organizations.

There is no typhoon in the country at the moment, but one near Taiwan is affecting the southwest monsoon, bringing rain over Luzon.

Rain has been non-stop since Typhoon Gener (international name Saola) which left the country last week. Death toll from the sustained downpour has risen to 53 Tuesday, disaster authorities said.

The state weather bureau said heavy rainfall will continue for the next 24 hours. – Rappler.com