Flashflood hits provinces in Luzon

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Provinces outside Metro Manila are also reporting high floodwaters due to non-stop rain Tuesday, August 7.

The provincial offices of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) reported cases of flooding and evacuation in various parts of Luzon:

CALABARZON

In Rizal, the town of Cainta is declared under state of calamity. Montalban and Rodriguez are also submerged under deep floodwater.

In Laguna, 18 municipalities are reportedly submerged in flood. Water level in Caliraya Lake has already reached its spilling level of 289.1 meters as of 6:19 am Tuesday. Governor ER Ejercito said in an interview with DZMM that they have recorded 3 casualties as of the morning. The Philippine National Railways also reported that tracks between Pansol and Los Banos are not passable.

In Cavite, low-lying areas such as Kawit, Noveleta, and Rosario are already submerged under floodwater. Cavite Representative Jun Abaya said they are also monitoring high tide, which could raise water flood levels further.

In Batangas, 20 families from Bgy Altura Bata, Tanauan City and 9 families from Bgy San Roque, Bauan have relocated due to flashflood. Some 7 barangays in Bauan are also reportedly under floodwater.

Central Luzon

In Zambales, the towns of Cabangan, San Felipe, San Narciso, San Antonio, Castillejos and Subic have been closed to traffic due to heavy flooding. Sto. Tomas, Ilwas and Calapacuan in Subic are reportedly in knee-deep floodwater.

In Bataan, around 200,000 residents are affected in 400 barangays in the province. The towns of Dinalupihan, Hermosa, Orani, Morong, Bagac, Orion, Abucay and Samal are reportedly the most affected areas. Motorists are advised to avoid national roads in the provinces, particularly Gov Lina Road, the Gapan-Olongapo Road, and MacArthur Highway in Hermosa town.

In Tarlac, the towns of La Paz and Paniqui are submered with 2-4 feet floodwaters. Some 5 other barangays are submerged to flood waters.

In Pampanga, motorists are advised to avoid six road sections in Guagua, Macabebe and Minalin towns: Brgy. Bancal road network (Guagua-Sasmuan road portion), Sto. Cristo (interior road towards St. Michael College, Sto. Cristo Brgy. Hall) and Mc Arthur Highway, San Nicholas 1st (Balagtas St.) in Guagua town; Brgy. San Gabriel and Tacasan-Saplad David road in Macabebe; and Brgy. Maniago Road in Minalin. Some 174 barangays from 17 out of 21 municipalities in the province are now under floodwater.

In Bulacan, 14 barangays are submerged to flood waters.

Also, based on the latest update of weather bureau Pagasa issued at 10am, four dams in Luzon have already opened some of their gates to release excess water:

Ambuklao Dam (Benguet) – two gates
Binga Dam (Benguet) – three gates
San Roque Dam (Pangasinan) – two gates
Ipo Dam (Bulacan) – two gates

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Dinky Soliman said that there are now 100 evacuation centers in 7 regions:

42 in NCR
7 in Region 3
36 in Region 4A
1 in Region 4B
10 in Region 6
3 in Region 10
1 in Region 11

Soliman said that assistance worth P12-M was already given. DWSD said they have P5,138,000 standby funds and relief supplies worth P35.008-M.

Non-stop rain has been pounding Metro Manila and large parts of Luzon since Monday, August 6. – Rappler.com

For more weather updates, visit the #WeatherAlert Microsite.

Everyone is encouraged to help out. Check this list of evacuation centers and relief operations in Metro Manila for places near you.

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