MANILA – The death toll from the heavy rains and massive flooding due to monsoon rains this week has risen to 16 even as a new low pressure area has been spotted east of Northern Luzon. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) identified the latest fatality as Nelson Fausto Jr., a drowning victim from Teresa, Rizal. Most of the 16 fatalities also drowned at the height of the rains brought by the southwest monsoon, which was exacerbated by tropical storm "Maring." At least 41 were injured while 5 were still missing. The NDRRMC said 1,256,508 indiv iduals were affected by the heavy rains in 1,181 barangays around the country. It said a total of 662 areas were hit by flooding, while 5 provinces, 8 cities, 9 towns and 2 barangays have been placed under state of calamity. At least P78,868,659 worth of infrastructure and agriculture products were destroyed by the monsoon's onslaught. New LPA spotted State weather bureau PAGASA spotted a new low pressure area east of Northern Luzon. It is still outside the Philippine area of responsibility while another weather system that may develop into a low pressure area has also been seen east of Mindanao. "May nakita tayo LPA east of Northern Luzon outside PAR. Samantala, sa silangan ng Mindanao may cloud clusters pero di pa confirmed kung low pressure area," said PAGASA weather forecaster Samuel Duran. Much of Luzon will be under rainy skies today, PAGASA said. A yellow rainfall warning remains in effect over Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Expect moderate and heavy rains in Metro Manila and parts of Rizal while heavy to intense rains are expected in Bataan, parts of Pampanga, Bulacan and Zamables. Though not under yellow alert, PAGASA said Ilocos and Cordillera regions as well as Central Luzon must brace for rains today due to the southwest monsoon, which is still being enhanced by tropical storm "Maring" that is now heading to China.