THREE persons died while thousands fled from their homes following intense rains and strong winds brought by the southwest monsoon or “habagat,” the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council yesterday said.

NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Timbal said one was killed after being hit by a fallen tree while two others were struck by lightning.

He said 44,563 individuals have fled to 81 evacuation centers nationwide due to “habagat.”

Timbal urged the public to be watchful as rains will continue this week.

According to him, even if typhoon “Fabian” has left the country, the southwest monsoon remains.

The NDRRMC official said around 14,000 people in Luzon were evacuated due to monsoon rains.

Timbal said affected residents were evacuated as a precaution against floods and overflowing rivers around communities.

“Nagkaroon tayo ng 14,000 katao na nag-evacuate. Bilang pag-iingat sa posibleng pagtaas ng baha at pag-apaw ng ilog sa kanilang communities. Sa Marikina City ongoing ang proseso ng pag-eevacuate dahil minamatyagaan ang ilog na ito,” Timbal said.

Also evacuated to safer places were some residents in Taytay, San Mateo, and Rodriguez in Rizal.

Around 2,163 residents in the coastal areas of Cavite were forcibly evacuated from their homes due to heavy rains and floods.

Bad weather washed out houses along the shore of Cavite City, Noveleta, Rosario, Tanza, Naic, Maragondon and Ternate.

The low-lying areas in Bacoor, Imus, Kawit, General Trias City, Cavite City, Noveleta, Rosario experienced flooding .

Tropical depression “Fabian” dampened rains in Luzon, triggering floods and landslides in areas, including Metro Manila, Central Luzon, the Cordilleras, Calabarzon, and Mimaropa.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services said monsoon rains yesterday battered Luzon, including some parts of Metro Manila.

Meanwhile, PAGASA continues to monitor tropical storm “Nepartak” located outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

“Nepartak” was last spotted 2,960 kms. east northeast of extreme Northern Luzon and moving northwest at 15 kph.