Malabon City Declares State of Calamity Due to Habagat
Malabon City has officially declared a state of calamity as the southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat, continues to cause severe flooding. Local leaders approved this resolution following widespread damage and disruptions brought by the heavy rains.
The declaration also cites the impact of unusually high tides and a malfunctioning navigational gate in Tanza, which worsened the flooding situation. “Nakaranas ang Lungsod ng Malabon ng malawakang pagbaha, pagkasira ng imprastraktura, pagkaantala ng mahahalagang serbisyo, at paglikas ng daan-daang residente,” the city government said.
By declaring a state of calamity, Malabon City can now access emergency funds immediately to respond to the crisis more effectively. This move places Malabon alongside Quezon City and Manila, which have also declared states of calamity due to the intense monsoon rains across the National Capital Region.
Widespread Evacuations and Ongoing Rainfall
The Department of the Interior and Local Government reported that at least 41,878 individuals were evacuated from Malabon, Caloocan, Navotas, Valenzuela, and Quezon City as the habagat brought heavy downpours on Tuesday. Many families had to leave their homes due to rising floodwaters.
According to local weather authorities, Metro Manila is expected to experience more than 200 millimeters of rain until Wednesday afternoon, signaling that the flooding may worsen before it improves. Residents are urged to stay alert and take necessary precautions.
Emergency Response and Recovery Efforts
City officials continue to coordinate relief operations, focusing on restoring disrupted services and repairing damaged infrastructure. The state of calamity declaration is crucial to fast-track funding and streamline efforts to help affected communities recover quickly.
Authorities remind citizens to monitor official updates and follow evacuation orders to ensure their safety amid the ongoing monsoon season.
For more news and updates on habagat flooding, visit Filipinokami.com.
