Philippines: Disruptions due to flooding ongoing across many parts of the country as of July 24

Disruptions due to flooding are ongoing across many parts of the Philippines as of July 24. Monsoon rainfall has been accentuated since mid-July by the passing of Tropical Depression Butchoy over the center of the country July 17-18 and the much stronger Typhoon Carina, which passed to the northeast of the Philippines July 19-23. As of July 24, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has reported hundreds of flooding incidents and dozens of landslides in recent days. More than 880,000 people have been affected across 15 of the country's 18 regions. Officials have confirmed seven fatalities across parts of Mindanao Island. Several roads and bridges have been made impassable by flooding and landslides and dozens of municipalities have been affected by power outages. Around 245 houses have been partially or totally damaged by the severe weather across nine regions. Hundreds of people are stranded at ports due to the adverse weather and dozens of flights have been canceled across the country. School classes and work have been suspended in dozens of municipalities, including across Metro Manila, and stock and foreign exchange trading has also been suspended. Officials have declared a local state of calamity across Metro Manila and in at least four other municipalities across the country.

As of July 24, severe flooding is impacting Metro Manila and surrounding areas. Officials in Quezon City have evacuated around 22,000 people to 154 evacuation centers. Residents living near the Tullahan River in the cities of Caloocan and Valenzuela have been ordered to evacuate due to rising river levels and the possible overflow of the La Mesa Dam. Evacuations are also reportedly ongoing in the neighboring cities of Malabon and Navotas. Authorities are also set to evacuate people along the Marikina River in eastern Metro Manila. Dozens of roads across Metro Manila are impassable due to floodwaters.

Further adverse weather is forecast across much of the country over the coming days. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Administration (PAGASA) is maintaining a Tropical Cyclone No. 2 warning over Batanes Province, while Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal 1 is in effect over northern Cagayan including the Babuyan Islands and northern Ilocos Norte provinces as Typhoon Crina moves northwestward away from the Philippines. A weather advisory has been issued warning that further enhanced rains due to the southwest monsoon and Carina are likely over the coming days. Rainfall totals of 10-20 cm (4-8 inches) are forecast over Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Abra, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan, Rizal, and Occidental Mindoro and 5-10 cm (2-4 inches) over the rest of Cordillera Administrative Region, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, and the rest of Calabarzon July 24. Rainfall totals of 10-20 cm (4-8 inches) are expected over Benguet and Abra provinces and 5-10 cm (2-4 inches) over Metro Manila, Cavite, Batanes, Babuyan Islands, rest of Ilocos Region, Abra, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro July 25. Further amounts of 5-10 cm (2-4 inches) are forecast over Zambales, Bataan, and Benguet provinces July 26.

As of July 24, PAGASA is maintaining the following flood warnings across the country:

• Extreme General Flood Advisory (the second highest level on a four-tier scale): Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan provinces in Ilocos Region; Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain provinces in Cordillera Administrative Region; Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino provinces in Cagayan Valley Region; Aurora, Bataan, and Zambales provinces in Central Luzon Region; Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, and Rizal in Calabarzon Region; and Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, and Romblon provinces in Mimaropa Region.

• Severe General Flood Advisory: Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon provinces in Bicol Region and Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental provinces in Western Visayas Region.

Officials could update and possibly extend the coverage of weather alerts over the coming days.

Further sustained heavy rainfall could trigger additional flooding in low-lying communities near rivers, streams, and creeks. Urban flooding is also possible in developed areas with easily overwhelmed stormwater drainage systems. Sites downstream from large reservoirs or rivers may be subject to flash flooding after relatively short periods of intense rainfall. Landslides are possible in hilly or mountainous areas, especially where heavy rainfall has saturated the soil.

Authorities could issue mandatory evacuation orders for flood-prone communities over the coming days. Disruptions to electricity and telecommunications services are possible where significant flooding or landslides impact utility networks.

Floodwaters and debris flows may render some bridges, rail networks, or roadways impassable, impacting overland travel in and around affected areas. Ponding on road surfaces could cause hazardous driving conditions on regional highways. Authorities could temporarily close some low-lying routes that become inundated by floodwaters. Severe weather could also trigger flight delays and cancellations at airports in the region. Flooding could block regional rail lines; freight and passenger train delays and cancellations are likely in areas that see heavy rainfall and potential track inundation.

Localized business disruptions may occur in low-lying areas; some businesses might not operate at full capacity because of flood damage to facilities, possible evacuations, and some employees' inability to reach work sites.