Flood in Balanga City, Bataan reaches chest level

Floodwaters in Balanga City, Bataan on Sunday reached chest level in some areas.

YouScooper Ailene Baluyot Remolacio shared these photos of Plaza Mayor de Ciudad de Balanga which was flooded all around it.

Heavy rains from the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) enhanced by Tropical Storm Josie caused the flooding in many parts of Bataan.

On Sunday, Balanga City and the municipality of Dinalupihan were placed under a state of calamity.

In an interview with Super Radyo dzBB, Jose Maria Garcia, information center manager of Philippine Information Agency-Bataan, said rescue operations were ongoing in the province.

"Buong araw pong nagsasagip buhay ang mga local responders. Marami pong humihingi ng tulong sa social media at emergency hotlines," he said.

Garcia added that preemptive evacuation was already implemented in Mariveles, Pilar, and Morong even when the rainfall warning was still orange. 

A red rainfall warning was issued by PAGASA over Bataan and Zambales on Sunday afternoon, meaning torrential rain and severe flooding are to be expected. —KG, GMA News