Disasters & Accidents

Floods displace over 72,000 people in western Philippines

Bangkok, July 26 (EFE).- Floods triggered by heavy rains in the western Philippines have displaced more than 72,000 people, Filipino authorities said on Monday.

A person has also died and two others injured, the natural disaster agency said.

The Philippine weather service has said the rains were moving to the southern region of the archipelago.

The worst-affected regions are Calabarzon, south of Manila, and Mimaropa, on the Palawan island.

Rains in these two regions have damaged more than 500 houses.

The floods have also caused economic losses in agriculture and infrastructure estimated at 104 million pesos ($2 million).

Authorities have moved some 38,400 people to temporary evacuation centers.

Another 33,700 are staying with relatives and acquaintances.

Heavy monsoon rains also led to the flooding of several low-lying areas of Manila, where the water rose to a height of up to 1 meter (3 feet) in some areas.

Between 15 and 20 typhoons hit the Philippines every year during the rainy season, which begins around May and June and usually ends between November and December.

Between 2000 and 2016, natural disasters caused damage worth $20 billion in the country, according to a report by the Asian Development Bank. EFE

nc/pd/ssk

Related Articles

Back to top button