NDRRMC issues flashflood warning for Bicol

MANILA, Philippines - The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) issued a general flashflood advisory for the Bicol region while maintaining its disaster warning over wide areas of Mindanao and the Visayas due to continuing monsoon rains.

NDRRMC executive director and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) chief Ricardo Jalad said despite moderate rains, the prevailing weather system was expected to cause flooding in the Cabuyan, Bato and Pajo river channels in Catanduanes.

Flooding is expected in the river channels in Lower Kilbay, Catabangan, Ragay, Tinalmud, Tambang and Lagonoy in Camarines Sur and in Labo, Daet and Basud in Camarines Norte.

Flood warnings were raised in Sorsogon province, particularly in areas around Lower Donsol, Ogod, Putiao, Cadacan, Banuang-Duan, Fabrica (Tugbugan) and Matnog in Camarines Sur.

In Masbate, residents were advised to closely monitor possible flooding of river channels at Lanang Mapayawan Mandaong, Asid, Malbag, Guiom, Nainday, Daraga, Nauco (Aguada) and the Beleno.

Relatedly, the disaster alert over wide areas of Mindanao and the Visayas remain red due to widespread flooding caused by days of torrential rains over Caraga and Davao regions.

“Light to moderate rains and thunderstorms are expected to continue over these regions,” Jalad, citing the NDRRMC’s 12-hour rainfall forecast.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the weather continues to improve but rains would still persist in the southern parts of the country due to the tail end of a cold front.

PAGASA said no low-pressure area is currently inside the Philippine area of responsibility.

Weather forecaster Obet Badrina said the tail end of a cold front would bring moderate rains in Southern Tagalog, eastern and central Visayas and northern Mindanao.

A thunderstorm advisory was raised by the weather bureau around noon in Agusan and Surigao provinces, as well as in Davao Oriental, Dinagat Islands, Compostela Valley and South Cotabato.

Badrina said the northeast monsoon will affect northern and central Luzon, particularly Batanes and Calayan group of islands.

“Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains will be experienced over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon. Partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms will prevail over the rest of the Visayas and of Mindanao,” added the weather bureau.

Soldiers deployed in Caraga and Northern Mindanao regions are now under orders to sustain the ongoing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) operations in their respective areas of responsibilities.

The Army’s 4th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. reported that as of yesterday, soldiers have evacuated a total of 12,000 families or 50,836 individuals from the flood-stricken towns and villages in the provinces of Agusan del Sur and Agusan del Norte.

Over in Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte and the province of Dinagat, troops were also mobilized to support the massive evacuation operations of affected residents. – With Janvic Mateo, John Unson, Ben Serrano, Lino dela Cruz