Floods, landslides and damaged homes as Rosita lashes northern, Central Luzon

A day after Typhoon Rosita hit northern and Central Luzon areas on Tuesday, residents in affected areas remained sheltered in evacuations centers as authorities assessed the safety of their homes.

In San Fernando City in La Union, over 100 residents from 14 coastal barangays evacuated from their homes and are temporarily staying in public schools, according to Susan Enriquez's report on Unang Balita.

At Catbangen Elementary School, over 100 evacuees or 30 families occupied the rooms. Other schools in San Fernando City also served as evacuation centers.

In Baguio City, some evacuees returned to keep an eye on their homes amid danger, a separate report by Athena Imperial said.

According to the Baguio City Disaster Risk Reduction and Managament Office, the city experienced heavy rains but not as heavy as during Ompong's onslaught last September. No flood has been reported.

To avoid accidents, the Antamok Road in Barangay Ucab in Itogon, Benguet, where a landslide took place during Ompong, was closed for motorists.

Several residents already evacuated before the heavy rains fell. In an evacuation center in Barangay Tuding, most evacuees were the elderly and children as the fathers watched over their homes.

Itogon Mayor Victorio Palangdan said they already have options for possible relocation site for residents living in landslide-prone and danger zone areas.

Meanwhile in Zambales, some residents along the riverside in Sta. Cruz refused to evacuate as the rains were not heavy enough although there was strong wind brought by Rosita.

In Masinloc, people went to the cemeteries to clean the tombs of their departed loved ones despite the typhoon.

Some farmers were unable to harvest their crops, but according to Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, they can still benefit from it as long as the rains will not get stronger.

In Isabela, where Rosita made its landfall, some residents were rescued from the flood induced by heavy rainfall during the typhoon. Roofs of some houses in the town of Alicia were blown away because of strong winds. The chairs and some other facilities were also damaged in an airport in Cauayan City.

In Reina Mercedes, rice and cornfields were severely affected.

In Ilocus Sur, Rosita's strong winds caused a closed van to tilt.

Several areas in Casiguran, Aurora, experienced flooding. According to Municipal Social Welfare Development Office , over 300 families were evacuated.

Strong winds and big waves, meanwhile, were experienced in Tagkawayan, Quezon. Nine houses were destroyed by gigantic waves in Barangay Maligaya in General Makar.

In Kalinga, landslide and flooding took place that led to the evacuation of some residents. In the town of Tanudan, a school is submerged in flood. According to YouScooper Mhay Tombali, it was the first time they experienced flood in the area.

Motorists in Pasil, meanwhile, had a hard time crossing roads because of heavy rains. In Lubuagan, authorities responded to a landslide incident.

Meanwhile, a building of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was buried after a landslide took place in Mountain Province on Tuesday.

According to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) of Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), 20 persons believed trapped in the building.

The Office of Civil Defense in the Cordillera Administrative Region has already requested for two helicopters together with the search and rescue team to respond to the area.

Some houses were also believed buried in the landslide.

“After po nu'ng landslide, they tried to penetrate the area to search and rescue 'yung victims,” OCD-CAR Regional Director Ruben Carandang said.

“Hindi po sila makapasok dahil 'yun po ay papunta pong kalsada doon sa building ng DPWH ay undergoing road widening at doon po sa dadaanan mismo ay napakarami daw pong nangyaring landslide," he added. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News