Philippines: Floods and Landslides - Dec 2005

The UN Resident Coordinator's Office in Manila reported that extensive monsoon rains caused river swelling and landslides in the Regions IV and V. According to the National Disaster Coordinating Council, the continuous heavy rains induced by northeast monsoon affected the provinces of Quezon and Oriental Mindoro (Region IV), Camarines Norte, Catanduanes and Albay (Region V) since 5 December 2005. A total of 42,843 families (192,946 persons) were affected by the flooding. (OCHA, 9 Dec 2005)

Severe monsoon rains affected the provinces of Mindoro Oriental, Isabela and Palawan. Floods and landslides ensued, which killed five people and injured three by 15 December. Mindoro Oriental was the worst hit, with 14,247 families or 85,446 people affected in one city (Calapan city) and four towns. In Isabela and Palawan, 27 barangays (villages) in eight municipalities were inundated, and successive floods increased the number of affected to 633 families or 3,978 people. (IFRC, 15 Dec 2005)