Over 12,000 Barangays in Luzon, Visayas Face Landslide, Flood Threats Amid Habagat

More than 12,000 barangays nationwide are susceptible to rain-induced landslides and floods due to the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) said Tuesday. There are 12,161 barangays susceptible to geohazards from September 8 to 11 based on the rainfall forecasts of the state weather bureau PAGASA, according to the bureau. As of 8 a.m. of Tuesday, September 8, the landslide- and flood-prone barangays are located in the following regions: "Based on the latest DOST-PAGASA 72-hour rainfall forecast, residents in listed areas and those nearby or downstream are urged to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions," the MGB said. Geohazard susceptibility maps are produced based on local geology, landforms and terrains, and human activities that could elevate disaster risks. The barangay lists are generated using rainfall forecast data from PAGASA, rain-induced landslide and flooding susceptibility maps from DENR-MGB, and barangay boundaries from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), according to the bureau. According to the 24-hour weather forecast issued at 4 p.m., the Southwest Monsoon will bring more rains over Luzon and the Visayas on Wednesday. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA News