Over 17,000 barangays face severe flood and landslide risks

MANILA — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has flagged more than 17,000 barangays across the country as facing moderate to very high risk of flooding and rain-induced landslides, citing the need for immediate action from local government units.

The identification of at-risk communities comes as the southwest monsoon season brings increased rainfall to the region. DILG officials stressed that local government units must implement preventive and mitigation measures before conditions deteriorate further, particularly in barangays already designated as vulnerable.

The advisory underscores the importance of pre-positioned resources, early warning systems, and evacuation preparedness in flood and landslide-prone areas. Communities in mountainous regions and those with poor drainage infrastructure have been identified as especially vulnerable during heavy rainfall periods.

Local officials have been directed to coordinate with their respective disaster risk reduction and management councils to ensure rapid response capabilities are in place. The DILG emphasized that proactive measures taken before the onset of severe weather can significantly reduce casualties and property damage.