Pampanga under state of calamity due to effects of Habagat

The province of Pampanga was placed under a state of calamity on Monday due to the effects of the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) enhanced by Typhoons Egay and Falcon.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved a resolution for the declaration of the state of calamity following the recommendation of the Pampanga Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).

Based on a report to the PDRRMC, the heavy rains brought about by the enhanced Habagat caused flooding to 232 barangays in 15 local government units (LGUs) in the province, affecting 144, 340 families or 512,722 individuals as of July 31.

The report said that of the affected population, a total of 6,057 individuals are currently taking shelter in 112 evacuation centers.

Total damage to agriculture stands at P315,234,255 while the number of affected farmers and fisherfolks is now at 3,770, it added.

“The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Pampanga declares, as it hereby declares, the Province of Pampanga under the State of Calamity due to the effects of the Southwest Monsoon enhanced by Tropical Cyclones ‘Egay and Falcon’,” the resolution read.

Over the weekend, a state of calamity was earlier declared in some municipalities in Pampanga as strong rains over the last few days brought floods to several areas.

In a report by GMA TV One North Central Luzon's Russel Simorio on "24 Oras Weekend" on Sunday, Pampanga's Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said that a state of calamity was declared in Macabebe, San Simon, Sto. Tomas, and San Luis due to floods brought by Typhoon Egay.

Monsoon rains

To date, no storm signal has been hoisted over any portions of the country but state weather bureau PAGASA said  Typhoon Falcon (international name: Khanun) will continue to enhance the Habagat which will bring occasional monsoon rains in the western portion of Luzon and the Visayas in the next three days.

At 10 a.m., Falcon was last seen 1,045 kilometers east of extreme northern Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 150 km per hour, with gustiness of up to 185 km/h. It was monitored moving north-northwestward at 15 km/h.

PAGASA said the typhoon may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility between Tuesday afternoon and evening. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News