Flash floods swept through two barangays in Pangasinan during heavy rain overnight, forcing some residents to evacuate as authorities continued rescue operations and warned that flooding could worsen in the coming days.

The flooding hit Barangay Bongalon in Labrador and Barangay Laguit-Padillla in Bugallon. Videos showed muddy floodwaters covering roads in both areas, making travel difficult, especially for smaller vehicles.

Pangasinan Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Emergency Operations Center Supervisor Pia Navata-Flores said saturated soil and prolonged rain contributed to the sudden rise in water.

“In-anticipate din po ‘yun na ‘pag ganitong saturated na ‘yung lupa, at tumagal ‘yung ganitong pag-uulan ay tendency po ay bubuhos po talaga pababa ‘yung biglaang agos ng tubig mula sa upstreams,” he said.

By late morning on Monday, August 17, 2026, floodwaters remained knee-deep in affected areas. Some residents were evacuated as authorities continued rescue operations.

Flooding was still reported in 36 barangays across seven towns and one city, while water levels were receding in another 73 barangays. Authorities, however, warned that conditions could worsen again as rain continues.

“Dahil ganito po ‘yung panahon, ini-expect po natin na tataas po ulit within the day and the coming days dahil by Wednesday ganito pa rin po ‘yung magiging panahon,” Nivata-Flores said.

The Pangasinan Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office said 220,647 families, or 805,509 people, have been affected by the southwest monsoon, or habagat, and previous storms. Of these, 141 families, or 496 people, remain in evacuation centers, while another 39 families, or 114 people, are staying with relatives.

The PDRRMO raised its alert status to Code Blue on Monday, August 17, after the habagat strengthened. Under this status, 50 percent of personnel and rescue assets are on standby for possible deployment.

Navata-Flores urged residents living near rivers, coastal areas, irrigation channels and dikes to stay away from these areas because of the risk of sudden rise in water levels.

“Pinapaalalahanan po natin ‘yung mga naninirahan malapit sa kailugan, coastal area, maging sa mga irigasyon at dike, ‘wag po tayong maglagi diyan. Dahil mapanganib po ‘yung mga biglaang pagtaas ng tubig,” she said.

As of 11 a.m. on August 17, the Marusay River in Calasiao, Sinocalan River in Sta. Barbara and Balincaguing River in Mabini remained above critical levels. The Cabatuan River in Alaminos was at critical level.

No gale warning was in effect along the Pangasinan coast, but authorities advised fishermen to remain cautious because sea conditions could change quickly due to the southwest monsoon.