Photo courtesy from Aqua Dezay

The death toll from Typhoon Inday (international name: Bavi) and the enhanced southwest monsoon (Habagat) has risen to 17, as government agencies continue search, rescue, and relief operations in communities hit by days of heavy rain.

Although Inday has already exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), the weather disturbance continues to enhance the southwest monsoon, bringing moderate to heavy rains to several parts of the country and increasing the risk of flooding and landslides.

According to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), most of the reported fatalities were caused by landslides triggered by continuous rainfall.

OCD Deputy Administrator Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said 10 deaths were recorded in Sarangani, five in Lanao del Sur, and two in Bukidnon. The agency also reported nine people remain missing—three from Sarangani and six from Lanao del Sur—while four others were injured.

Alejandro emphasized that the reported casualties are still undergoing validation, noting that authorities are continuing to verify reports from affected areas.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that more than 514,700 individuals, or around 112,500 families, have been affected by the combined effects of Typhoon Inday and the enhanced Habagat across several regions.

Initial damage assessments also showed that 153 houses sustained damage, while thousands of residents were forced to evacuate due to widespread flooding and landslides. Authorities said damage assessment teams are still gathering reports from remote and hard-hit communities, meaning the figures could still increase.

The Office of Civil Defense, together with local disaster risk reduction and management councils, continues to distribute relief assistance, conduct damage assessments, and search for those still missing.

Despite Inday's exit from PAR, PAGASA warned that the enhanced southwest monsoon will continue to bring periods of rain over parts of Luzon and Mindanao in the coming days. Residents living in flood-prone and landslide-prone areas are advised to remain alert, monitor official weather advisories, and follow evacuation orders issued by local authorities.

Government agencies said response operations remain in full swing as communities begin recovery efforts while preparing for the possibility of continued rainfall brought by the Habagat.