Cagayan River nears critical level, more villages flooded

CAGAYAN, Philippines – The water level of Cagayan River continued to rise on Monday, October 19, causing more villages to be submerged in floodwaters due to Typhoon Lando (international name: Koppu).

As of 1 pm, the water level in Tuguegarao City Gauging Station in Buntun Bridge had reached 11.52 meters. Its critical level is 12 meters.

In Tuguegarao, more than 8,000 individuals or 1,791 families are already affected by floodwaters. Most them, according to Mayor Jefferson Soriano, are staying in their relatives’ houses in higher areas.

Evacuees are staying in barangay (village) halls and in an improvised tent city at the parking area of Unitop Mall in the village of Balzain.

Some houses in the villages of Balzain, Linao East, Linao West, Bagay, Capatan, Cataggaman, Atulayan Sur, Atulayan Norte, Annafunan East, Gosi Norte, Namabbalan Sur, Buntun, and Centro have floodwaters as high as 10 feet.

Even some buildings of the University of Cagayan Valley were under water.

Residents who opted not to leave their houses are staying at the second floor, but they said they would leave their houses as soon as authorities implement forced evacuation.

These villages are located near Cagayan River or rivers connected to Cagayan River.

Major roads are now closed to vehicles.

Some villages in the towns of Penablanca, Enrile, and Amulung are also submerged in floodwaters.

Bonifacio Cuarteros, head of Cagayan’s Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC), said it would “probably be catastrophic” if the Cagayan River continuously rise beyond its critical level.

“We are still monitoring the river. We already sent rescue teams to get residents who are stranded due to flooding,” Cuarteros said, adding that they will implement forced evacuation if the situation gets worse.

He said farmers have suffered twice – first from the effect of the prolonged dry spell; now, from the destruction brought about by Typhoon Lando.

In Isabela, the city of Ilagan was declared under state of calamity also due to flooding.

PDRRMC-Isabela head Watu Foronda said the town of Santo Tomas is now isolated.

Foronda said they will send rescue teams to check the conditions of the residents. – Rappler.com