Habagat death toll now at 7

MANILA, Philippines — At least seven people have been reported dead while seven others are missing due to heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon or "habagat" that continue to affect most parts of Luzon.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), one person was dead and five went missing after a flash flood at the Sumag River tunnel project in Gen. Nakar, Quezon last Saturday.

At least one worker of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System was rescued.

Incidences of drowning were reported in Janiuay, Iloilo; Nagtahan, Manila while cases of drowning death were recorded in Barangay Mariana, Quezon City and Brooke's Point, Palawan.

Three people were killed by a collapsed firewall in Sta. Cruz, Manila while six were injured. Meanwhile, one person was injured after being hit by falling rocks in Taytay, Rizal.

Two fishermen, one from Gasan, Marinduque and one from Brooke's Point, Palawan were reported missing.

The NDRRMC reported that 32,220 families or 154,988 individuals have been displaced by the monsoon rains in the National Capital Region, Regions III and VI and provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon.

Heavy rains triggered by the southwest monsoon have been poring over Metro Manila and various parts of Luzon and Visayas since August 8. — Patricia Lourdes Viray