High tide flooded key streets in Dagupan City, particularly AB Fernandez Avenue in the downtown area early morning on September 16, 2024.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration's (PAGASA) monitoring, the tide rose to four feet above normal at 6 a.m., submerging several roads and even seeping into local establishments.
Raymond Diaz, a local businessman, expressed frustration over the recurring issue.
"Mahirap talaga kapag ganitong baha, pati negosyo talagang apektado," Diaz said.
Meanwhile, a couple from Aguilar, Pangasinan, Panny and Gilbert Garcia, who were in Dagupan for a consultation at an eye clinic, were caught off guard by the flooding.
"Kahapon hindi naman ganito ang tubig, ngayon mataas," Panny said.
"Hindi namin expected na ganito kasi mainit naman ang panahon," Gilbert added.
The sudden flooding also caused traffic congestion.
"Medyo mataas ang tubig sa gilid ng kalsada kaya ang mga sasakyan sa gitna nagbababa ng pasahero. Ang problema, nagka-traffic na," Arvin Decano, Chief of Dagupan's Public Order and Safety Office (POSO), said.
POSO faced challenges in managing the flow of traffic as numerous motorists also violated traffic rules, such as counterflow.
By 11 a.m., the situation began to improve, and traffic slowly returned to normal.