Storms cause landslides, damage in Cordillera, affecting over 17K families

Torrential rain from successive storms and the southwest monsoon has caused widespread damage in the Cordillera Administrative Region, affecting over 17,000 families.

Baguio City recorded 87 landslides as of July 28, resulting in one death, one missing person, and two injuries.

La Trinidad town declared a state of calamity on Tuesday due to extensive damage from tropical cyclones and the southwest monsoon, with reported losses exceeding P28 million.

Benguet Province recorded 131 landslides between July 18 and 28, impacting national highways, provincial roads, and local routes, causing road closures and delays in emergency operations.

Two workers from the Benguet Provincial Engineering Office died when their equipment fell into a ravine while clearing debris on Tuesday.

Excessive rainfall has saturated the soil, doubling Baguio's July rainfall to 1,607.8 millimeters and nearly doubling Benguet's to 1,371.8 millimeters, increasing landslide risks and prompting immediate response and clearing operations.