THE death toll from the combined effects of southwest monsoon and Severe Tropical Storm Crising has increased to five, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Monday, July 21, 2025.
In a situational report, the NDRRMC said two of the reported fatalities were from Matin-ao Surigao del Norte and Mambajao, Camiguin. Both of the victims were struck by a fallen tree.
It said three of the other reported fatalities in Northern Mindanao and Davao Region are still under verification.
The disaster bureau said seven individuals are also missing amid the effects of the weather systems.
The NDRRMC said the number of affected families in 1,556 barangays in almost all the regions across the country also rose to 225,985 or 800,864 persons.
Of the number, nearly 6,000 families or over 20,000 individuals were inside evacuation centers.
The agency said over P50 million worth of assistance, including food and non-food items were provided to the affected population.
It also recorded 299 destroyed houses and 935 damaged houses in the affected regions.
The infrastructure sector incurred almost P220 million worth of damages.
The combined effects of southwest monsoon and Crising battered almost the entire Philippines over the weekend, leaving many communities flooded.
In a press conference, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Nicolas Torre said the 911 hotline was also flooded with calls seeking for help and rescue amid the onslaught of the weather systems.
He commended police personnel amid their ongoing efforts to help the affected communities.
“From Luzon to Mindanao, our police personnel have been on alert, conducting preemptive evacuations, assisting in relief operations, clearing road obstructions and ensuring public safety amid floods and landslides,” he said.
“The rainy season is far from over and if there is one thing that we have learned from years of disaster response, it is that preparedness that save lives kaya nga paulit-ulit natin pinaalalahanan ang ating mga units, huwag tayo maging kampante. Let us continue our round the clock monitoring, work closely with our LGUs and strengthen our coordination with the local risk reduction and management councils and most especially our barangay officials,” he added.
Tropical Cyclone Crising intensified into a severe tropical storm as it exited the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Saturday morning, July 19, 2025.
However, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat, will continue to bring massive rains that may result in floods or landslides.
The weather bureau is also monitoring a low pressure area (LPA) within PAR.
It said the LPA has a “medium” potential of developing into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours.
As of 8 a.m. Monday, July 21, Pagasa said the water level of La Mesa Dam was at 79.69 meters.
The La Mesa Dam will overflow in the event that its water level reaches 80.15 meters.
“Waters from La Mesa Dam are expected to affect the low-lying areas along the Tullahan River from Quezon City (Fairview, Forest Hills Subd., Quirino Highway, Sta. Quiteria and San Bartolome), Valenzuela (North Expressway, La Huerta Subd.) and Malabon,” said Pagasa.
“All the residents living in the aforementioned areas and nearby areas, especially those near the river banks, are still advised to be alert for possible flooding,” it added. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)