Heavy flooding in Barangay Talibaw, Calasiao, Pangasinan has prevented some students from attending the first day of school on July 29, 2024. 

Their houses in Barangay Talibaw remained submerged in floodwaters a week after the southwest monsoon, intensified by #CarinaPH, dumped rains in the area and many other parts of Luzon.

In Sitio 4, up to 13 homes are still submerged in knee-deep water. It is not helping that the drainage system is reportedly clogged. 

"Kapag hindi na uulan, hindi na lalalim… pero kapag uulan, talagang lalalim. Nalubog bahay nila kasi diretso ang ulan; sana hindi na uulan," Yolanda Rubrica, a resident, said.

Residents have been forced to wade through floodwaters and several students have opted to stay home on the first day of school. 

"Kasi baha, [kaya] hindi kami makapasok... delikado lumusong kasi baha," Ralph Miranda, a student, said.

"‘Yung mga bata sa likod, hindi pa nakapasok dahil baha," Rubrica added.

According to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), the flooding has receded in many areas of the province. However, the water level at the Marusay River in Calasiao and Agno River in Bugallon remain above normal, as of this writing.

The San Roque Dam, though not at critical level, continues to handle water from upstream reservoirs in Benguet.

"Hindi naman lahat ‘yan ay dumiretso sa San Roque dam, mayroon pa ring mga river tributaries na maaring daanan ng tubig," Vincent Jun Chiu, Operations and Training Head of the Pangasinan PDRRMO, said.