Heavy rains triggered by the southwest monsoon, or habagat, and intensified by Severe Tropical Storm #CrisingPH have flooded large parts of Pampanga, leaving over 65,000 families affected.

In Macabebe town, floodwaters submerged low-lying areas like Barangay Batasan, where residents had no choice but to wade through waist-deep water just to leave their homes.

Even the Presentation of the Lord Parish was not spared from the rising waters.

In Masantol, floodwaters from fishponds spilled into the streets.

“Mahirap na mahirap talaga kapag may tubig. Hindi ka makapagtrabaho, lalo na sa amin kasi bukid,” Christina Punla, a resident, said.

In Barangay Maligaya, Floridablanca, flood levels reached chest height after parts of the Porac River dike gave way. At least seven barangays were affected and seven families have been evacuated.

“May mga bumigay na dike, biglang pumasok ang tubig sa Metro Poblacion. Kaya kasalukuyan pong mataas ang tubig natin ngayon sa Barangay Maligaya,” Floridablanca Mayor Michael Galang said.

As of July 21, 12 p.m., the Pampanga Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported that 132 barangays across 14 local government units were submerged in floodwaters, affecting 65,056 families, or nearly 216,000 individuals.

Relief operations have started, with the local government distributing food packs to affected families.

“Kahit wala pang bagyo, lubog na sila kaya kailangang unahin. Susunod na ang iba. Sa mga kabalen ko pong nilubog ng baha, mag-ingat po kayo. Kung may sakit po kayo, pumunta po kayo sa kapitan ninyo para madala kayo sa kapilya at magamot,” Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda said.