World · Philippines Bureau
Southwest monsoon death toll reaches 16 across Central Luzon
Relentless rainfall from the habagat has claimed at least 16 lives in Central Luzon within days, with five additional deaths reported and four people missing across the region. Floods, landslides and dangerous currents continue to pose threats to residents.
LSN Philippines ·
The southwest monsoon has intensified its destructive impact across Central Luzon, with search and rescue efforts ongoing following five additional fatalities reported in recent days. The cumulative death toll has reached at least 16 in less than a week as heavy downpours persist throughout the region.
Zambales province has been among the hardest hit areas, where emergency responders recovered bodies and continued searching for four missing individuals swept away by swollen waterways and debris flows. The continuous rainfall has inundated communities, triggering multiple hazards including flash floods in low-lying areas and landslides in upland barangays.
Local government units in Central Luzon have activated emergency response protocols, with rescue teams conducting search operations in areas most affected by the monsoon. Residents in flood-prone communities have been advised to remain vigilant and evacuate to higher ground when necessary.
The habagat typically brings abundant moisture from the southwest during the summer monsoon season, though this year's system has proven particularly severe. Weather forecasters continue to monitor atmospheric conditions as the region braces for potential additional rainfall in the coming days.