Philippines Faces Health Risks Amid Flooding and Power Shortages

Severe flooding in the northern Philippines has prompted health authorities to issue warnings about water-borne diseases. With the southwest monsoon causing extensive damage, residents are urged to protect themselves from illnesses like leptospirosis and dengue. Additionally, power supply issues have arisen, with several plants offline, leading to alerts in the Visayas and Mindanao regions. The Philippine National Police is actively involved in recovery efforts following the impact of recent tropical cyclones. This situation highlights the urgent need for community awareness and preparedness during such natural disasters.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 12, 2026, 15:35 IST

Health Alert Issued Due to Flooding

Screengrab image shows the flood situation in the Philippines (Source: @missjilliam/X)

Manila, Aug 12: Health officials in the Philippines have raised concerns about the potential for water-borne diseases following severe flooding in the northern regions, as reported by local news outlets.

The health department in the Ilocos area, located in the northwest, has alerted residents to the increasing health threats posed by ongoing heavy rains from the southwest monsoon, which have caused significant flooding, according to the Manila Bulletin.

Residents are being advised to take precautions against illnesses such as influenza, leptospirosis, and dengue, which are prevalent during the rainy season, as stated by Dr. Helen D. Tobias, the Ilocos Regional Director of the Department of Health, according to reports from Xinhua News Agency.

Dr. Tobias cautioned that leptospirosis can be contracted through contact with floodwaters contaminated by animal urine. She recommended that individuals who come into contact with floodwaters wash their skin with soap and clean water and seek medical help if necessary.

Power Supply Challenges Amid Flooding

On Wednesday, red and yellow alerts were issued for power grids in central and southern regions of the Philippines due to several power plants being offline, as reported by local media.

The Visayas islands are experiencing limited power availability, with multiple coal-fired plants currently out of service. This month alone, six plants in the Visayas region are on forced outage, and over 20 others have not been operational since 2021, according to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

For the Visayas grid, a red alert was declared on Wednesday, with available capacity at approximately 2,153 megawatts (MW), while the projected peak demand is 2,394 MW.

In Mindanao, the southern region, nine power plants are also on forced outage this August, with 11 plants having been offline since 2024, and nine others operating at reduced capacities. The available capacity in Mindanao is around 2,779 MW, with peak demand expected to reach 2,689 MW.

Post-Disaster Recovery Efforts Intensified

In response to the aftermath of tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay, as well as the intensified southwest monsoon, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has ramped up recovery efforts, according to official reports.

Police units in the affected regions have been instructed to maintain a visible presence and collaborate closely with local governments as communities begin to return to normalcy, as stated in a PNP announcement.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the PNP reported 26 fatalities related to the weather, including 25 civilians and one police officer.

PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. emphasized that their responsibilities extend beyond search and rescue, stating, "We will remain engaged in the recovery phase," as quoted by the Philippine News Agency on Wednesday.