25 barangays in Calumpit in state of calamity

The local government of Calumpit, Bulacan has declared a state of calamity in 25 of its 29 barangays as it continues to deal with flooding in the wake of tropical cyclone Lando.

 

A report from GMA's “24 Oras” on Wednesday said affected barangays include:

 

Balungao, Bulusan, Calizon, Calumpang, Caniogan, Corazon, Frances, Gatbuca, Gugo, Iba Este, Iba-O-Este, Meysulao, Meyto, Palimbang, Panducot, Pio Crucoza, Poblacion, Pungo, San Jose, San Miguel, Sapang Bayan, Sta. Lucia, Sto. Niño and Sucol.

 

Calumpit Mayor Jessie de Jesus said they were having trouble with the evacuation of residents due to the large amount of people who need their help.

 

“Kung kailan malalim tsaka po nagpaparescue. At ngayon po ay hirap na hirap kaming mabilisan ang pagrerescue dahil po sa water current,” he said.

 

In Barangay Frances, soldiers who were part of the rescue team using rubber boats said flood waters from Tuesday's 1.4 meters increased to 2.6 meters on Wednesday.

 

“Sana po maintindihan ng populace po dito na hanggang sa makakaya lang po namin [ang rescue operations] dahil alam po nila na ilan lang 'yung available boats para ibigay namin sa kanilang lahat,” Major Roberto Morallos of the 525th Engr. Combat Battalion said.

 

Meanwhile, chest-deep floods inundated Barangay Gatbuca where residents had to rely on boats to leave. Others also parked their vehicles along the MacArthur Highway.

 

Residents of Calumpit fear that floodwaters may take a while to subside as the provinces of Pampanga and Nueva Ecija which border them are still also flooded.

 

There are 19,833 of 28,000 families in Calumpit who were evacuated to 11 centers there plus schools and churches that were turned into makeshift evacuation centers. —Andrei Medina/JST, GMA News