Southwest monsoon floods ravage Luzon

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration recorded 250 mm of rain in the Ilocos region within 24 hours, triggering flash floods that displaced over 30,000 residents.

Landslides blocked major highways, hampering relief‑convoy movements.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has declared a state of calamity in four provinces and is coordinating with the military for evacuation shelters.

Experts say the unusually strong monsoon is linked to a lingering La Niña pattern.