Pampanga, Rizal dikes collapse; residents flee

At least two dikes in Rizal and Pampanga gave way and left residents wading through floodwaters, while landslides hit Kennon Road in Baguio City following days of heavy rains over Luzon. GMA News said some 150 families in San Mateo town in Rizal sought shelter in churches, schools and even under bridges because the floods had entered their homes. The town's dike in Banaba village collapsed after 12 hours of non-stop rains. During its height, the water level at the San Mateo River reached 22.5 meters, the report said. Residents interviewed by GMA News appealed to local officials to build a stronger dike, noting that the current one is made up of sandbags. In Pampanga, some 60 families near the Gugu dike left their homes as part of the structure succumbed to the rising waters. QTV television's Balitanghali said a three-meter section of the dike fell apart. Authorities are still unable to plug the hole as of posting time because of the strong currents. Also in Pampanga, QTV reported that water in the Apalit River has overflowed, although it was not immediately clear its impact was on local residents and farmers. In Baguio City, landslides impaired vehicular traffic along Kennon Road, which links the upland tourist destination to La Union province. QTV footage showed tractors and heavy machinery staying away from debris that fell onto pavement. Motorists were advised to seek other access roads to Baguio, such as Naguillan Road and Marcos Highway. - GMANews.TV