Residents wade through a flooded street as heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon continue to affect parts of Luzon. Pagasa warned of possible flooding and landslides as significant rainfall persists in several areas. Contributed photo of Theo Garbanzo.
The Philippine National Police placed units in affected areas on heightened alert as heavy rains from the southwest monsoon continued across much of Luzon following tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said about 800 police personnel had been deployed for disaster response, while around 10,000 more remained on standby.
He directed local police units to monitor conditions closely and coordinate with local governments and other emergency response agencies.
Personnel were also instructed to prepare for search and rescue, retrieval and evacuation operations when needed, particularly in areas prone to flooding and landslides.
The PNP activated its natural disaster subcommittee under the Directorate for Police Community Relations as part of its response to the continuing severe weather.
Nartatez said police units should support preemptive evacuations and provide early warnings to communities at risk instead of waiting for conditions to worsen.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council earlier reported eight deaths, nine injuries and one missing person linked to the combined effects of the Habagat and tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay.
Luis made landfall over Isabela on Aug. 3 before weakening into a low pressure area, while Maymay crossed Ilocos Sur on Aug. 6 and dissipated the following day. Pagasa said the southwest monsoon continued to affect most of Luzon and parts of the Visayas on Monday.