Extreme Monsoon Rains Sweep Northern Luzon with Fatal Consequences
Baguio City has witnessed tragic losses as extreme monsoon rains and strong winds continue to batter Northern and Central Luzon. The relentless weather has claimed multiple lives, including an 11-year-old boy who drowned after being swept into a flooded canal on the afternoon of Monday, July 28, 2025.
Local officials confirmed that the Grade 7 student from Guisad Elementary School is the city’s first fatality linked to the severe weather conditions. These conditions stem from Typhoon “Emong” (international name: Co-may) and the persistent southwest monsoon, known locally as the habagat.
Tragic Incident in Baguio City
The young boy was last seen playing near a main road beside the canal. His body was later discovered trapped underwater by a 70-year-old resident, Maximo Castillo, who was clearing debris near a private property close to the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) compound. Despite immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation efforts by Castillo and a BPI employee, the child was pronounced dead at the scene. He lived on Ferguson Road and was the son of a Texas Instruments Philippines employee.
Ongoing Disasters in the Cordillera Region
Beyond Baguio, the Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported 11 injured individuals and one missing person as of July 28. A 68-year-old farmer from Barangay Wangal, La Trinidad, Benguet, went missing on July 24 following a landslide in Sitio Talingoroy. Search and rescue operations continue amid challenging conditions.
While key mountain roads like the Baguio-Bontoc Road in Buguias and Kennon Road have been cleared, damage remains widespread. The Department of Public Works and Highways reported that a shattered road slab in Danglas, Abra, has rendered part of the Abra-Ilocos Norte Road impassable. Additionally, high river levels have submerged a detour on the Apayao-Ilocos Norte Road in Calanasan, complicating access further as construction continues on the Annaran Bridge.
Floodwaters Cause More Deaths in Bulacan
In the province of Bulacan, floodwaters triggered by Emong and storms “Crising” and “Dante,” combined with the southwest monsoon and high tides, led to two drowning deaths over the weekend.
Manuel Lukban Jr., head of the Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, reported that 22-year-old Kenneth Rendon from Barangay Calero, Malolos City, went missing Sunday afternoon while fishing with friends. Rendon jumped off their boat to relieve himself and managed to swim a short distance before suddenly sinking. Rescue teams recovered his body the next morning after hours of searching.
Meanwhile, in Calumpit town, 67-year-old Vicente Melo was found dead inside his flooded home in Barangay Frances early Monday. Relatives noted that Melo had consumed alcohol prior to the incident. Investigators suspect he slipped and drowned as floodwaters rose inside his house.
The extreme monsoon rains and accompanying storms have underscored the vulnerability of many communities in Northern Luzon. Authorities continue to monitor weather conditions and coordinate relief and rescue efforts.
For more news and updates on extreme monsoon rains, visit Filipinokami.com.
