With over 17,000 barangays susceptible to flooding and rain-induced landslides nationwide, the concerned local government units (LGUs) must step up measures to address these pressing concerns, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic’’ Remulla asserted on Tuesday, Aug. 18.

He cited the urgency of his call as these situations were further induced by the combined effects of the southwest monsoon and a low-pressure area (LPA) in recent weeks.

Earlier, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau reported that more than 17,000 barangays have moderate to very high susceptibility to flooding and rain-induced landslides from August 17 to 19, 2026.

In an advisory, the DILG instructed the LGUs to conduct pre-disaster risk assessments covering floods, flash floods, rain-induced landslides, debris flow, strong winds, and other hydrometeorological hazards.

“LGUs were also directed to carry out preemptive or mandatory evacuations in communities repeatedly affected by floods and landslides when conditions warrant, while ensuring that health facilities and evacuation centers have dependable power supplies and functioning generator systems,’’ the DILG added.

Using their respective hydrometeorological hazard maps, the DILG said the LGUs must identify and prioritize communities in flood- and landslide-prone areas and preposition the personnel and equipment needed to clear road obstructions and keep routes open for emergency response and relief operations.

Likewise, the DILG directed local disaster risk reduction and management personnel to closely monitor river levels in moderately vulnerable areas.

In high-risk zones, the DILG said that the LGUs must implement preemptive evacuation protocols, particularly for households near active river systems, keep waterways clear, and strictly restrict access to identified flash flood-prone areas.

The DILG lamented that in areas with low landslide susceptibility, residents should remain alert for warning signs such as sudden changes in water flow or clear water turning muddy.

“In moderately susceptible areas, LGUs should consider preemptive evacuation, particularly for residents living at or near the foot of gullies and creeks,’’ the DILG pointed out.

Further, the DILG insisted that residents in highly susceptible areas are strongly encouraged to evacuate to safer ground while those from communities where landslides have already occurred must not be allowed to return until authorities have assessed the area and declared it safe.

“The LGUs must act before conditions worsen, particularly in communities already identified as vulnerable to flooding and landslides, to protect lives and ensure that emergency response operations can be carried out without delay,’’ the DILG continued.