MANILA, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Heavy monsoon rains have flooded villages in the Philippine main Luzon island and the central Philippines, causing 2.8 billion pesos (about 52.6 million U.S. dollars) worth of damages to crops and vital infrastructure, a government disaster agency said on Monday.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said in its July 30 report that 454,594 families or over two million people have been affected by days of rains that triggered floods and landslides.
The agency said a total of 130,414 families or 551,233 villagers are still living inside and outside 216 temporary government shelters dotting the affected areas.
The NDRRMC said 754 areas have been flooded, including in the Philippine capital of Manila. To date, the agency said 252 areas are still flooded.
At least 13 people died from the disaster, according to the NDRRMC.
Incessant rains over two weeks have led to flooding and landslides in the Philippines. So far, 10 tropical cyclones have battered the Philippines since the onset of the rainy season in June.
