MANILA – Habagat fatalities have risen to 36, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). The combined effects of the habagat, Typhoon Carina, and Tropical Cyclone Butchoy have caused widespread devastation. The NDRRMC announced these fatalities on Monday, noting that 14 deaths have been confirmed, while 22 are still being verified.
The heavy rains and strong winds brought by these weather disturbances caused massive damage. In Quezon City, Kaliraya Street in Barangay Tatalon is piled high with trash and debris from the floods. As of Sunday, July 28, 2024, the street is only passable by two-wheel vehicles due to the garbage.
Metro Manila was the hardest hit, with 15 reported fatalities, followed by Calabarzon with 10. The Zamboanga Peninsula reported 4 deaths, while the Bangsamoro region and Central Luzon each saw 2 fatalities. The Ilocos Region, Northern Mindanao, and Davao Region each reported one death.
In addition to the habagat fatalities, the NDRRMC reported that three people are still missing and six others are injured. The storms have affected around 4.5 million people, with approximately 152,800 seeking refuge in evacuation centers.
The financial toll is just as staggering. Nearly 1,600 homes were damaged, and the bad weather wreaked havoc on infrastructure and agriculture, causing around PHP 1.6 billion in infrastructure damage and PHP 355.6 million in agricultural losses.
Cleanup efforts in Quezon City are in full swing, with shovels, bulldozers, and backhoes working tirelessly to clear the debris and restore normalcy.
This disaster highlights the critical need for better disaster preparedness and response measures. As the country deals with the aftermath, there’s a growing call for more robust strategies to protect lives and property from future weather events.
Communities are coming together, showing resilience and solidarity in the face of adversity. The combined impact of the habagat, Typhoon Carina, and Tropical Cyclone Butchoy is a stark reminder of nature’s power and the importance of being prepared for whatever it throws our way.
