Floodwaters are receding slowly in parts of Pangasinan, but several areas remain flooded as authorities prepare for the expected peak of the southwest monsoon, or habagat.

The Pangasinan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) placed the province under Code White alert and kept its Emergency Operations Center on heightened monitoring for weather systems that could affect the province.

“Heightened monitoring pa rin tayo especially dito sa operations center. Continuous ‘yung monitoring natin sa development ng iba’t ibang weather system na makaaapekto sa province,” Pia Navata-Flores, emergency operations center supervisor of the Pangasinan DRRM Office, said.

Flooding continued in some barangays in Lingayen and Binmaley, while several barangays in Dagupan City and Calasiao also remained flooded.

Five local government units have declared states of calamity: Dagupan City, Mangaldan, Sta. Barbara, Bugallon and Mangatarem.

Authorities urged residents to stay alert ahead of the expected habagat peak on Thursday and prepare to evacuate if local officials order a preemptive evacuation.

“Pinapaalalahanan ang lahat na makinig po. If ever, ipatupad ng ating LCEs, BDRRMCs ang preemptive evacuation,” Navata-Flores said.

In Calasiao, the Marusay River level has slightly fallen but remained above the critical level.

Five barangays continued to experience flooding, namely: Talibaew, Longos, Lumbang, Lasip, and Mancup.

Elizabeth Abuan, a resident of Barangay Lasip, said floodwaters would return whenever it rained after briefly receding.

“Kabababa lang ng tubig pero uulan nang uulan, babalik na naman yung tubig,” Abuan said.

Floodwaters have started to recede in 16 other barangays in Calasiao. Kristine Joy Soriano, spokesperson for the Calasiao DRRM Office, said the deepest flooding recorded so far reached 2.4 feet.

“Unti-unti nang humuhupa yung tubig sa kanilang area and so far, 2.4 feet yung pinakamalalim na naitala,” Soriano said.

Despite the improving conditions, 42 families, or 156 people, remained in evacuation centers in Calasiao.

The Pangasinan PDRRMO said water levels in other river systems across the province were also falling.

As of August 23, the Sinocalan River in Sta. Barbara was below normal, while the Marusay River in Calasiao remained above critical level. The Pantal River in Dagupan City and Bañaga River in Bugallon were above normal, while the Balincaguing River in Mabini was at normal level.

The Cabatuan River in Alaminos City was also at normal level.

Authorities continue to monitor the rivers and flood-prone communities as the province prepares for heavier monsoon rains later this week.