Farmers in Cagayan, Isabela harvest crops early in anticipation of Karding

Several farmers in the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela have begun to harvest their crops in preparation for Tropical Storm Karding.

“Konting ulan lang babaha na agad, kaya pinipitas na namin. Pag hindi namin pinitas, masisira rin,” Jacinto Macababad, who started harvesting corn in Tuguegarao, Cagayan, said in Russel Simorio’s report for GMA Regional TV One North Central Luzon, which was aired on “24 Oras” on Friday.

(We are harvesting our crops because even a light rain may cause flooding immediately. They will only be ruined if we don't harvest them early.)

In Isabela, several farmers were starting to gather and prepare their harvested crops.

Among the areas of concern in Cagayan are the municipalities of Peñablanca, Enrile, Solana, Amulung, Alcala, Tuao, Rizal, Iguig, and Tuguegarao.

“These are all highly prone to flood. Ang concentration ng personnel and pre-deployment ng mga assets natin ay dito sa mga areas na ito," Ruelie Rapsing, officer-in-charge of Cagayan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, said.

(We will concentrate our personnel and pre-deployment of assets in these areas since they are highly prone to flooding.)

"We make sure na ang mga vehicles natin [ay] serviceable in times na magdecide ang mga local chief executives natin for evacuation,” he added.

(We make sure our vehicles are serviceable once the local chief executives decide to conduct evacuations.)

Residents in Isabela were informed by the PDRRMO that the Magat Dam may release water on Saturday as a precaution against the heavy rains that Karding is expected to bring.

Weather bureau PAGASA said the tropical cyclone is forecast to move generally westward while gradually accelerating towards the east coast of Northern Luzon or Aurora, where it is likely to make landfall on Sunday morning or afternoon.

Karding is expected to gradually intensify and may reach a severe tropical storm level before making landfall. — Richa Noriega/VBL, GMA News