MANILA — Two people have died while nearly 226,000 families have been affected across 16 provinces as Typhoon Wipha, combined with an intensified Southwest Monsoon, wreaked havoc throughout the Philippines, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) confirmed today.
The fatalities were reported in Northern Mindanao and Caraga regions, both among the five total deaths under verification, according to the latest situation report released by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
In total, 225,985 families — equivalent to about 800,864 individuals — have been affected by the severe weather conditions. Among them, 5,921 families or 20,115 individuals are currently taking refuge in 319 temporary evacuation centres, while another 16,671 families or 70,720 people are receiving aid while staying outside of evacuation zones.
Authorities said the affected population includes both those displaced from their homes and those whose residences remain habitable but were impacted by the storm’s effects.
According to the Civil Defence Office, several regions including the National Capital Region (NCR), Region 6 (Western Visayas), and Mimaropa have also reported individual incidents related to the storm.
The NDRRMC further reported that a total of 1,234 houses sustained damage — many of them partially, though some were completely destroyed by strong winds and flooding. Initial estimates of infrastructure damage, including roads, bridges, and public facilities, stand at PHP219.3 million.
Typhoon Wipha is the latest in a series of storms to test the country’s resilience this monsoon season. Authorities have advised residents in low-lying and mountainous areas to stay alert for potential flash floods and landslides as the weather system continues to affect various regions.
The Philippine government, along with local disaster agencies and humanitarian groups, are continuing relief efforts and damage assessments.
