Bataan residents deal with thick mud after flood

Residents in areas in Bataan flooded the past few days are now dealing with another problem: thick smelly mud.

The mud was left by receding floodwaters, covering houses, buildings, and roads, according to a report on News To Go on Wednesday by Saleema Refran.

In Barangay Gabon in Abucay, only tricycles could go on the road due to the thick mud on the road.

Residents were kept busy cleaning their homes and yards of the mud, some doing so with their bare hands.

In Barangay San Jose, even children took part in the cleanup.

Due to the thick mud, residents sometimes had no choice but walk barefoot.

The Bataan Provincial Health Office warned the public of possible diseases they may get from their environment: skin diseases, tetanus, cholera, dengue, and leptospirosis.

"Ang alam natin nakukuha 'yan sa pag-wade sa floodwater. Eh 'yung mga ihi po ng daga at 'yung iba pang pinagkukuhanan po nito ay nandoon lahat sa putikan," said Dr. Rosanna Buccahan of the Bataan Provincial Health Office.

Residents were advised to wash themselves after cleaning up the mud and to consult a doctor should they feel unwell.

In Barangay Omboy, authorities used a payloader to remove the mud from the road.

Meanwhile, in Barangay Capitangan, traffic became heavy due to the cleanup of the road.

The province of Bataan was placed under a state of calamity on Sunday due to flooding from torrential rains brought about by the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) enhanced by Tropical Depression Josie. —KG, GMA News