Disaster management authorities are warning of prolonged heavy downpours across the Philippines as an approaching tropical cyclone threatens to exacerbate the southwest monsoon, which has already left 29 people dead and affected approximately 7.5 million individuals.
Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Deputy Administrator for Operations Assistant Secretary Bernardo Alejandro IV stated that emergency responders are tracking the potential interaction between Typhoon Saudel (international name) and the southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat. This atmospheric interaction could trigger intense rainfall across western and northern Luzon, including the National Capital Region.
Latest disaster monitoring reports indicate that the combined impact of the enhanced monsoon alongside Tropical Cyclones Luis, Maymay, and Neneng has affected roughly 2.2 million families across 10 regions.
“The overall situation that could affect us is that the habagat is expected to remain active. It could be enhanced or intensified because there is a storm approaching,” Alejandro said.
Saudel remained outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Monday but is expected to take the local name “Obet” upon entering the country’s monitoring zone.
Officials warned that monsoon-driven rains could surge as early as Monday or Tuesday, August 25, threatening communities already waterlogged from previous weather systems.
“If you remember, it rained continuously last week because of the monsoon. These are the same areas that could be hit by the habagat,” he said.
With the ground saturated in many provinces, emergency managers warned of heightened risks for severe flooding, landslides, and transport disruptions.
In response, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. convened a high-level briefing at the Pampanga Provincial Capitol to review local disaster impacts and evaluate agency readiness alongside OCD Administrator Undersecretary Harold Cabreros, Deputy Administrator Assistant Secretary Laurena Mina, and other National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) officials.