Tropical Depression Pilandok to bring heavy rains and flooding threat to Luzon

MANILA, 31 AUGUST 2026 —

A tropical depression entering the Philippine area of responsibility will strengthen the southwest monsoon and dump heavy rain across Luzon this week, raising the risk of floods and landslides, the state weather bureau said.

Pilandok is not expected to make landfall or trigger wind signals, but its interaction with the southwest monsoon will prolong moderate to heavy rainfall over western Luzon. Villamil urged local governments and residents to watch official advisories and prepare for possible flooding and landslides.

Northern and Central Luzon may receive up to 200 mm of rain, while Metro Manila, Calabarzon and Occidental Mindoro could see up to 100 mm, PAGASA said. Rainfall is forecast to shift north by Tuesday, affecting the Ilocos Region, Benguet and Batanes.

The incoming weather comes as Luzon recovers from Tropical Cyclones Luis, Maymay and Neneng, which with the southwest monsoon caused widespread flooding and landslides. As of Sunday morning, the combined systems had killed 32 people, injured 19 and left three missing, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported.

Benguet recorded the highest toll with 15 landslide-related deaths. Four fatalities each occurred in Rizal and Batangas, with other deaths in Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, La Union, Occidental Mindoro, Negros Occidental and Caloocan City.

About 8.1 million people have been affected, 43,500 remain displaced across 523 evacuation centres and 117 cities and municipalities are under a state of calamity. Damage reached P6.16 billion in infrastructure and P2.32 billion in agriculture, while the government has provided P1.69 billion in relief.

Rising inflows have forced major dams to open spillways. Binga Dam discharged 410.4 cubic metres per second through six gates, Ambuklao Dam released 265.49 cubic metres per second through four gates, and Angat Dam’s reservoir rose to 198 m from 194.5 m.

Malacañang said agencies have been ordered to stay on alert. “Government agencies have been ordered and reminded to swiftly respond to the needs of the victims of the heavy downpours,” Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro said in a Viber message.

Public Works Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon relieved the Las Piñas-Muntinlupa District Engineering Office maintenance chief, citing “unsatisfactory performance, lack of urgency, and delayed response to calamities.” The department has deployed six pumping units to flood-prone areas in Las Piñas to clear roads.

The Philippines averages 20 tropical cyclones yearly; flooding and landslides are recurring hazards. With Pilandok set to intensify the southwest monsoon, authorities are urging residents in high-risk zones to monitor advisories and prepare to evacuate if conditions deteriorate.

For Malaysian businesses with supply chains or operations in the Philippines, heavy rainfall and potential disruptions across Luzon could affect logistics and workforce availability in key manufacturing and distribution hubs.