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Philippines: Habagat and cyclones affect ~6.9 million; PAGASA tracks Saudel

Sunday, August 23, 2026 · 3:10 PM ETConfirmed

World Desk

PAGASA map of Philippine Area of Responsibility and tropical cyclone monitoring domains — PAGASA (public domain)

What we know

The combined effects of the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) and tropical cyclones Luis, Maymay, and Neneng have affected about 6.9 million people across much of Luzon and parts of the Visayas and Mindanao, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said in its Aug. 23 situation report, according to GMA News.

Separately, state weather bureau PAGASA is monitoring three tropical cyclones outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility, including Typhoon Saudel, which is forecast to enter PAR on Monday, Aug. 24, as local name Obet, Philstar, Manila Bulletin, and GMA reported.

Knee-deep floodwater in Quiapo, Manila during Habagat rains enhanced by Typhoon Carina in July 2024 — Quiapo, Manila — Habagat flooding enhanced by Typhoon Carina (Gaemi), July 24, 2024. Photo: Michael Peronce / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

What's confirmed

Confirmed (NDRRMC / GMA News, Aug. 23 sitrep): 6,913,577 persons (2,015,897 families) affected in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, NCR, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol, Western Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula.
Confirmed: Estimated damage about P6.614 billion — infrastructure ~P4.888 billion and agriculture ~P1.726 billion. Eighty-nine cities and municipalities have declared a state of calamity.
Confirmed: 105,523 people displaced (42,422 inside evacuation centers; 63,101 outside). Damaged houses: 2,324 (266 totally; 2,058 partially).
Confirmed (PAGASA / Manila Bulletin, Philstar & GMA): As of 10 a.m. Sunday, Saudel was about 2,085 km east of extreme Northern Luzon, outside PAR, with 165 kph sustained winds and gusts to 205 kph, moving west-northwest at 25 kph.
Confirmed: Saudel is expected to enter PAR Monday morning or afternoon as Obet (or Pilandok, depending on entry order), may reach super-typhoon strength (at least 180 kph) before entry, and is forecast to exit PAR by Tuesday, Aug. 25. PAGASA said it is less likely to affect Philippine weather and seas in the next three days but is expected to enhance the Habagat later in the week.

Floodwater rising along Lagarian Creek in Quezon City during southwest monsoon rains in July 2021 — Lagarian Creek, Quezon City — Habagat (southwest monsoon) floodwater, July 22, 2021. PNA / Robert Oswald P. Alfiler (Philippine government public domain)

What's still developing

Developing: Casualty tallies remain under validation in the Aug. 23 NDRRMC report cited by GMA (29 deaths reported with five confirmed; 17 injured with 11 confirmed; missing-person reports still being checked).
Developing: Whether Saudel enters as a typhoon or super typhoon, and how strongly it enhances Habagat rains over western Luzon and Visayas from Tuesday–Wednesday onward.
Developing: Interaction with other systems outside PAR; which local name is assigned first.

Sources

GMA News — NDRRMC Aug. 23 sitrep: ~6.91M affected; P6.614B damage; displacement and housing link
Manila Bulletin — PAGASA: Saudel 2,085 km E of extreme N Luzon; may reach super typhoon before PAR entry Monday; exit Tue Aug. 25 link
Philstar — PAGASA Aug. 23: three tropical cyclones outside PAR; Saudel expected into PAR Monday as Obet link
GMA News — Typhoon Saudel position, intensity, PAR entry/exit; super-typhoon possibility link
GMA News — DSWD: over P1.1B assistance; 1.7M+ food packs link
Image (lead) — PAGASA Domains for TC Monitoring (public domain) via Wikimedia Commons link
Image — Quiapo Habagat–Carina floods, July 24, 2024 (CC BY-SA 4.0, Michael Peronce) link
Image — Lagarian Creek Habagat floodwater, July 22, 2021 (PNA / Philippine gov PD) link