By Hader Glang
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines
Five people have died and around 39,000 others have been affected by rains and floods brought on by southwest monsoon Habagat.
The monsoon, which was enhanced by a tropical storm and typhoon, has caused widespread flooding and damage outside of the capital, Manila.
The Philippines National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said in a statement Monday that the five were killed in Quezon City, Cebu and Bulacan, while two others were reported injured in Cebu.
Usec. Alexander Pama, NDRRMC executive director, said one of the five reported dead was a Korean national who went missing during a dive July 5.
Two other Korean nationals were rescued July 8, hundreds of miles away from the dive site.
Four fishermen also remain missing in Bolinao, Pangsinan after their boat was destroyed by strong winds July 2.
The Philippine Coast Guard reported that 330 passengers remain stranded in various ports in Cebu, Tagbilaran, Dumaguete, Aparri, Masbate, Camarines Sur, Romblon and Sorsogon.
Some areas in Metro Manila, Ilocos, central Luzon and the Cordillera Administrative Region remain flooded.
In its 5 a.m. weather advisory, state weather bureau PAGASA said the southwest monsoon still continues to affect Luzon and western Visayas.
