Monsoon rains kill at least 30 as floods, landslides batter Philippines

At least 30 people have died in the Philippines after the southwest monsoon, intensified by three tropical cyclones, unleashed widespread flash floods and landslides across the country.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said seven others remain missing, believed to have been swept away by floodwaters or buried in landslides, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

A further 10 people have been injured.

Authorities have so far confirmed 13 of the reported fatalities as they continue efforts to assess the full scale of the disaster.

Heavy rainfall linked to Typhoons Wipha, Francisco, and Co-May has affected more than 1.46 million families — roughly 5.3 million individuals — nationwide.

In response, 88 cities and municipalities have declared a state of calamity to fast-track emergency measures and open access to relief funds.

Although the three typhoons have now exited the Philippine area of responsibility, the state weather bureau has warned that the southwest monsoon is expected to bring further downpours, particularly over Luzon Island, in the coming days.

By Aghakazim Guliyev