THE STATE weather bureau on Thursday said a low-pressure area (LPA) outside the Philippine area of responsibility had a high likelihood of developing into a tropical depression within 24 hours.

As of 2 p.m., the LPA was spotted 965 kilometers east-northeast of extreme Northern Luzon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in a Facebook post.

PAGASA last monitored tropical cyclones Francisco (Dante), Co-May (Emong) and Krosa three days ago.

This comes as the country continues to reel from the combined effects of past storms and the southwest monsoon.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the death toll from recent weather disturbances had climbed to 37.

Metro Manila recorded the highest number of deaths at nine, followed by Calabarzon with eight and Western Visayas with six. The Cordillera Region, Negros Island, and Northern Mindanao each reported three deaths, while Central Luzon reported two. One death each was recorded in Mimaropa, the Davao Region and Caraga.

The NDRRMC said 22 people were injured, while eight were still missing. In total, about 7.6 million people were affected by flooding and landslides, with roughly 100,000 people still sheltering in evacuation centers.

Infrastructure damage was pegged at P10 billion, while losses in agriculture reached P1.9 billion. About 46,000 houses were reported damaged across the country.

In his address to Congress on July 28, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways to investigate flood control projects that failed during recent storms, calling out widespread corruption in infrastructure spending and warning of criminal charges for those found guilty.

The Climate Change Commission (CCC) in a separate statement warned of the rising cost of climate inaction.

Citing climate analytics, the agency projected that infrastructure damage from climate-related events could exceed P300 billion by 2030.

Productivity losses due to extreme heat may surpass P400 billion, while business interruptions could cost P528 billion. Relocation expenses for displaced communities could reach P8.9 billion.

CCC Vice Chairman and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje called for stronger research collaboration to prepare for the intensifying impacts of climate change.

“We need civil engineers working alongside economists, climate scientists partnering with social innovators and community leaders and data experts collaborating with agricultural specialists and urban planners,” he said. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza