Over 800 people evacuated in Cagayan, Isabela due to threat of flooding

A total of 804 people in Isabela and Cagayan have evacuated from their homes due to the threat of flooding amid heavy rainfall, the Philippine National Police Region 2 said on Sunday.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, PNP Region 2 director Police Brigadier General Crizaldo Nieves said the water level of Cagayan River near the Buntun Bridge has already reached 8.48 meters, which is at the Alert Level.

“May mga evacuation ngayon. Ongoing, as of this 5 a.m., may pag-ulan pa rin,” Nieves said.

“’Yung areas kasi doon, especially 'yung pangsukat natin doon sa level ng baha sa Buntun Bridge, as of 5 a.m., is 8.48 meters,” he added.

According to Nieves, at least 62 families or 236 people have evacuated in Cagayan.

Meanwhile in Isabela, at least 138 families or 422 people evacuated in Cabatauan, while 65 families or 158 people evacuated in Alicia, Nieves said.

Cagayan

Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba on Sunday said they are closely monitoring the level of water in Cagayan River.

"Tumataas ang tubig. Naka-monitor ang mga tao natin... Baka umabot ng 10 meters, sa critical level," he said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

Mamba confirmed preemptive evacuations were conducted in four low-lying barangays along the Cagayan River in Tuguegarao on Sunday morning, with over 200 people evacuated.

"May phobia ang mga tao. Takot na takot na maulit ang nangyari," he said, referring to the situation two weeks ago when Typhoon Ulysses dumped heavy rains, causing widespread flooding in Cagayan and Isabela. People sought refuge on rooftops as floods submerged their houses.

Mamba said all communities along the Cagayan River are prepared for any possible flooding due to heavy rains from the tail-end of a cold front this weekend.

"Lahat ng mga bayan along Cagayan River, naaapektuhan. Lahat po 'yan nakahanda rin po. Sanay na rin po sila, huwag lang sobra-sobra tulad nang nangyari," he added.

"Ang kinatatakutan namin ay ang patuloy na pag-ulan sa Isabela, Mt. Province at Quirino," Mamba said, saying that the waters from these upland areas flow into Cagayan River.

Relief operations

Nieves said relief operations in the two provinces, which were recently hit by widespread flooding amid the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses, are still ongoing.

He added that they are coordinating with the Office of Civil Defense, provincial disaster risk reduction and management offices, Philippine Coast Guard, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines for these operations.

Mamba said donations of relief goods are still coming in for victims of the flooding due to Typhoon Ulysses.

"Dumarating pa rin ang relief goods na dino-donate," he said.

"Tuloy-tuloy rin po ang pagbigay ng relief goods," Mamba said.

The governor said with the state of calamity still in effect, a price freeze is observed by establishments.

PAGASA warning

On Sunday morning, residents living near the lower part of Cagayan River were advised to take the necessary precautions after the water reached the Above Alarm Level.

In its 7 a.m. hydrological forecast for the Cagayan River Basin, PAGASA said flooding is threatening in Lower Cagayan River and its tributaries Pinacanauan de Tuguegarao, Chico, Pared and Dummun.

It also warned of continuous rise in the water level of Lower Cagayan River since scattered rain showers and thunderstorms are expected.

Based on its 7 a.m. flood bulletin for the Cagayan River Basin, PAGASA said flooding is threatening in the low-lying areas near the lower part of Cagayan River.

These low-lying areas are Peñabalanca, Tuguegarao City, Enrile, Solana, Iguig, Amulung, Alcala, Baggao, Lasam, Gattaran, Lallo, Camalaniugan and Aparri.

The Above Alert Level was raised over Upper Cagayan and Middle Cagayan River and their tributaries.

PAGASA said flooding is still possible in these areas.

Scattered rain showers and thunderstorms are expected over Cagayan Valley and four other areas on Sunday due to the tail-end of a frontal system and the easterlies, PAGASA said. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News