Nearly 42,000 Affected by Combined Weather Disturbances in Philippines

Nearly 42,000 people have been affected by the combined effects of Tropical Cyclones Luis and Maymay and the enhanced Southwest Monsoon or Habagat, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said Wednesday. In its report as of 6 a.m., the OCD said a total of 41,979 individuals, or 12,432 families, have been affected in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Bicol, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). The agency said 5,818 persons or 1,821 families are currently staying in 14 evacuation centers. The OCD has yet to report any fatalities, injuries, or missing persons related to the weather disturbances. One house was reported to have sustained partial damage, while no overall estimate of damage to infrastructure or agriculture has been released. This situation highlights the recurring vulnerability of coastal and low-lying communities in the Philippines to such natural disasters, which are common throughout the year due to the country's geographical location.