Massive flooding hits Cagayan province

  

(Updated 10:24 p.m.)   Despite not being hit directly by Lando (international name: Koppu), Cagayan province is bearing the brunt of the tropical cyclone, with 15 of its 28 towns flooded, according to the Provincial Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Council.

 

Drone video taken by GMA News' Raffy Tima showed the province's capital in Tuguegarao inundated by floodwaters as a result of the overflow of Cagayan River.

 

Floods also rendered several roads impassable.

 

 

"Kami ang may pinakamaraming municipalities na lubog sa baha," said Cagayan PDRRMC officer Bon Cuartero.

 

Authorities had earlier conducted operations to evacuate homes near the Cagayan River.

 

But because of runoff water caused by heavy rains brought on by Lando over the Sierra Madre mountains, even places that usually did not flood became inundated.

 

Authorities are worried that the water level will continue to rise as Lando meanders over northern Luzon.

PAGASA's Hydrometeorology Division on Monday night said that the Cagayan River was close to critical level, which might bring more flooding in nearby areas.

A division staff said that the Cagayan River's elevation at the Buntun Bridge Gauging Station in Tuguegarao City was at 11.74 meters as of 9 p.m. on Monday.

Its critical level is 12 meters. —JST/NB, GMA News