Two dead in Balanga flood; Bataan under state of calamity

Two people died and many areas were flooded on Sunday as the whole province of Bataan was placed under a state of calamity due to torrential rains, according to a report on Unang Balita on Monday by Saleema Refran.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said the two people died in Balanga after a wall pinned them down amid raging floodwaters.

Ten towns and one city were affected by floods.

Torrential rains from the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) enhanced by Tropical Depression Josie poured overnight over the weekend, and the water level quickly rose on Capitol Drive in Balanga City.

City rescue personnel stopped vehicles and directed them to turn around and go back to avoid the flood.

Rescue operations continued well until midnight on Sunday in flooded areas.

However, some residents refused to evacuate even if rescue workers appealed to them.

"Saturated na 'yung kalupaan kaya't 'yung ulan, tubig ulan hindi na ma-hold ng mga soil natin," Josefina Timoteo of the PDRRMO said.

"Dire-diretso 'yung ulan hanggang kahapon hanggang kaninang umaga so 'yun na, nag-flash flood na tayo," she added.

On Sunday afternoon, Balanga City and Dinalupihan were placed under a state of calamity as flood waters reached chest level in some areas. —KG, GMA News