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Philippines: Floods and Landslides - Jan 2024

Disaster description

Heavy rainfall continues to affect Mindanao Island, southern Philippines, triggering landslides, causing floods, and leading to casualties and damage. According to media, at least seven people died and ten others are still missing following a landslide that occurred in Davao de Oro Province, Davao Region, south-eastern Mindanao. In addition, the ASEAN Disaster Information Network reports more than 10,000 evacuated people in 37 evacuation centres and 218,400 affected people in the Davao Region. In Caraga Region, 26,750 individuals were displaced and sheltered in 40 evacuation centres and 51,800 people were affected following floods and landslides. (ECHO, 19 Jan 2024)

The amount of casualties and damage is still increasing following the effects of the Shear Line that caused widespread landslides and floods in Mindanao Island since 15 January. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, 18 people died and eight were injured in Davao Region. In addition, more than 975,000 people have been affected, of whom 908,654 in Caraga and 66,652 in Davao and more than 500 are still evacuated. (ECHO, 31 Jan 2024)

Heavy rainfall has been affecting the eastern Mindanao Island, southern Philippines since 29 January, causing floods and triggering landslides that have resulted in population evacuation and damage. ADINet reports, as of 2 February, more than 2,500 evacuated people in 23 evacuation centres and a total of nearly 3,100 affected people across Davao de Oro and Davao Oriental Provinces, Davao Region. In addition, the same source reports over 9,500 evacuated people in 37 evacuation centres, a total of approximately 35,000 affected people, three damaged houses, and one damaged bridge throughout the Caraga Region. (ECHO, 2 Feb 2024)

From 28 January to 02 February, the Northeast Monsoon and the trough of the Low Pressure Area brought continued heavy rains that resulted in landslides and massive flooding in Davao and Caraga region. As of 06 February, NDRRMC reported for validation 18 dead and 11 missing persons. Almost 1.1 million persons were affected while 354,000 are currently displaced. These are the same areas that were affected by heavy rains due to shearline in early January 2024. (OCHA, 6 Feb 2024)

Following the landslide that occurred on 6 February in Maco Municipality in Davao de Oro Province, Mindanao Island, southern Philippines, the number of casualties is increasing. According to media reports, at least seven people died, 48 are still missing and 31 have been injured due to a landslide that hit three passenger buses. More than 750 families have been evacuated to evacuation centers and 62 houses have been damaged. (ECHO, 8 Feb 2024)

Two earthquakes of 5.8 M (5.9 M according to national authorities) and 5.4 M in northern Mindanao Island on 10 February halted search and rescue activities of people buried by a landslide that hit the mountain village of Masara in Davao de Oro Province (Davao Region, bordering the Caraga Region) on 6 February and resulted in 54 fatalities and 63 still missing people. (ECHO, 12 Feb 2024)

The humanitarian impact is increasing following the landslide which occurred in the village of Masara in Davao de Oro Province (Davao Region, northern Mindanao, southern Philippines) on 6 February and the severe weather and flood events that hit several parts of Mindanao since early February. According to media, the death toll due to the landslide in Masara has climbed to 68, while 51 people are still missing. In addition, more than 321,000 people have been displaced and almost 1,4 million others affected across five regions of Mindanao Island. Humanitarian partners and national authorities are providing assistance for those affected. (ECHO, 13 Feb 2024)

As of 14 February, 419,135 families or 1, 402,648 people were affected by flooding across Mindanao, affecting five regions, 13 provinces in 69 cities/municipalities and 832 barangays. Of these, 318,984 people are displaced; over 23,000 are in 95 ECs while around 85% are outside evacuation centers, taking temporary shelter with family and friends or staying in makeshift shelters. Several infrastructures and houses were damaged; around 1,603 houses were damaged of which 666 were totally damaged; 289 road sections and 26 bridges were affected, making many areas inaccessible. (OCHA, 17 Feb 2024)

As of 19 February, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) disclosed that the combined effects of the Northeast monsoon and the Trough of Low-Pressure Area (LPA) had affected 471,819 families, totalling over 1.5 million individuals across five regions, 13 provinces, and 881 barangays in Mindanao. Over 210,000 people remain displaced, most outside evacuation centres, while the remainder are accommodated in 68. Specifically, in Mawab and Maco towns in Davao De Oro, approximately 4,900 individuals are residing in evacuation centres following the Masara landslide incident, resulting in 93 reported fatalities and eight missing individuals. The NDRRMC documented a total of 49 landslide incidents as of 13 February. Additionally, 25,010 hectares of crops were damaged, affecting 19,071 farmers. (OCHA, 19 Feb 2024)

Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms affected southern Philippines, in particular the Mindanao Island on 18-19 June, causing floods that resulted in damage. The ASEAN Disaster Information Network (ADINet) report, as of 21 June, 24,548 affected people across Maguindanao del Sur and Lanao del Sur provinces in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in western Mindanao Island. (ECHO, 21 Feb 2024)

The number of impacted populations increased following the heavy rainfall and floods of 18-19 June that hit Maguindanao del Sur province in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Mindanao island, southern Philippines. According to the DSWD Disaster Response Management of the Philippines, as of 26 June, more than 50,000 people living in 19 districts of Datu Montawal, Papagawan and Pagalungan Municipality have been affected. (ECHO, 27 Jun 2024)

On 8 July, very heavy rainfall and thunderstorms were experienced over some areas of Cebu and Negros Oriental provinces (Central Visayas region, central-southern Philippines), which caused floods and resulted in casualties and damage. The worst-hit cities and municipalities are Bindoy, Carmen, Mandaue City, and Minglanilla. According to the ASEAN Disaster Information Network (AHA Centre), as of 8 July, at least seven people have died while two others are still missing. In addition, 307 people have been displaced and evacuated in two evacuation centres, two houses have been destroyed while another has been damaged. (ECHO, 10 Jul 2024)

The amount of casualties is increasing after the flood events that occurred on 8 July over some areas of Cebu and Negros Oriental provinces (Central Visayas region, central-southern Philippines). The worst-hit cities and municipalities were Bindoy, Carmen, Mandaue City, and Minglanilla. According to the ASEAN Disaster Information Network (AHA Centre), as of 12 July, eight people have died, while one person is still missing. In addition, 419 people have been affected, and 46 others are still displaced. In addition, four houses have been destroyed while another seven have been damaged. (ECHO, 12 Jul 2024)

Heavy rainfall has been affecting western Luzon and Mindanao islands in the Philippines since 11 July, causing floods and landslides that resulted in casualties and damage. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) report, as of 15 July, two fatalities, of whom one in Northern Mindanao and one in Davao regions, one missing person, two injured people, 17,832 displaced people in 55 evacuation centres and approximately 54,289 affected people across Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao, Soccsksargen and BARMM regions. In addition, 73 houses, two schools, three bridges and 55 roads have been affected. (ECHO, 15 Jul 2024)

Heavy rains from the Intertropical Convergence Zone triggered flooding and landslides within the Bangsamoro Region, Mindanao, affecting over 600,000 people as of 16 July. In Matanog town, Maguindanao Del Norte, a severe flash flood occurred, leading to displacement, casualties, and extensive damage to property and infrastructure - municipal authorities reported it as the most severe flash flood in terms of water volume, resulting in 23 injuries, 7 fatalities and 2 people missing. The flood destroyed 285 houses and damaged 510 houses, including three schools, one of which was completely damaged. (OCHA, 16 Jul 2024)

The combined effects of the southwest monsoon and two tropical cyclones within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) have impacted over 1,120,000 people and displaced nearly 65,000 people in regions III, MIMAROPA VII, IX, X, XI, XII, CARAGA, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Almost all of the displaced population are from Mindanao. The national government has reported eight deaths, with 23 people injured or missing since the rains began on 09 July. Heavy rain continues to affect the entire country as the interactions between the tropical cyclones enhance the southwest monsoon (Habagat). Typhoon Gaemi (local name Carina) has intensified further as it moves north-northwest and is expected to exit PAR by 25 July. The national government is on Red Alert and convened a national response cluster meeting on 23 July. The government has taken the lead in assessment and response efforts, identifying temporary shelter materials, shelter repair kits, food and non-food items as the immediate needs of the affected people. The Mindanao Humanitarian Team continues to support the government response clusters in assessments, response planning and provision of essential items and services. (OCHA, 23 Jul 2024)

Areas of the Philippines, especially Mindanao are currently affected by significant experiencing floods and landslides due to continuous rainfall, affecting 882,861 people of which 612,234 are displaced. (ECHO, 24 Jul 2024)

Since 9 July, the combined effects of the southwest monsoon and Tropical Cyclone Gaemi (local name Carina) have brought heavy to intense rainfall across the Philippines, affecting over 4.8 million people nationwide. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reports 39 fatalities (14 confirmed and 25 under validation), nine injuries, and six people missing. Approximately 108,000 people are currently displaced and housed in 557 evacuation centers. The disaster has caused significant damage, with infrastructure losses estimated at USD 73.4 million (PHP 4.3 billion) and agricultural damages amounting to USD 9.4 million (PHP 552 million), affecting 23,500 farmers and fisherfolk. In response, the Government of the Philippines is leading coordination efforts, supporting families in evacuation centers and initiating early recovery actions. Over 100 cities and municipalities have declared a state of calamity, enabling access to disaster funds. The Department of Social Welfare and Development and other national agencies have distributed approximately USD 5.44 million (PHP 319 million) in aid to the affected areas. (OCHA, 31 Jul 2024)

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