2 LPAs to bring floods, landslides

MANILA, Philippines — Disaster management officials warned the public yesterday against possible floods and landslides as two low-pressure areas continued to dump rains in Luzon and other parts of the country.

In addition, the “amihan” or northeast monsoon was also expected to bring rains to Northern Luzon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

“The public is advised to brace for possible floods or landslides during heavy or prolonged rainfall brought by the weather disturbances,” said the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

As of 3 p.m. yesterday, PAGASA spotted the first low-pressure area at 190 kilometers north-northwest of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, while the other one was located 40 km east of Infanta, Quezon.

The NDRRMC said moderate to heavy rains were expected to prevail until today in Eastern Visayas, Bicol region, Quezon, Aurora, Bulacan, Rizal, Mindoro provinces, Marinduque, Romblon, Dinagat Islands, Calamian Islands and Kalayaan Islands.

Also, moderate to at times heavy rains were expected to continue over Metro Manila, mainland Cagayan Valley up north, Central Luzon, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon or Calabarzon, Mindoro provinces, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan (Mimaropa), the rest of Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga peninsula and Caraga, also in Mindanao.

While PAGASA does not see either weather systems developing into a tropical depression, the NDRRMC said the public and local government units (LGUs) are reminded to heighten preparedness for the combined effects of the two potential storms.

“Even though the weather systems are just LPAs, the public should not be complacent,” said Undersecretary Renato Solidum Jr. of the Department of Science and Technology.

The NDRRMC already directed regional disaster response units and member agencies to immediately place all necessary preparedness measures.

“We know we are in the holiday season but we must continue to be prepared for any emergency,” Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Administrator Ricardo Jalad said.

“Communities located in flood- and landslide-prone areas, especially in the river basins, must remain vigilant and undertake all necessary precautions to ensure their safety,” he added.

Particular areas to experience widespread rainfall as mentioned by PAGASA senior weather specialist Chris Perez in his 4 p.m. weather update, were Cagayan Valley, Aurora, Rizal and Quezon.

In Malacañang, presidential spokesman Harry Roque urged the public to continue heeding the warnings of their local officials, monitor the latest PAGASA advisory, and prepare for possible evacuation.

“We remind the public to be alert and be prepared for possible landslides and floods brought by the heavy rains,” Roque said.

“We must not forget or ignore all the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of everyone, including the observance of minimum public health standards, such as wearing of masks (and) shields, washing of hands, and maintaining social distancing,” he added.

Flooding begins

Low-lying areas in Tuguegarao City were beginning to flood yesterday afternoon as the water in Cagayan River rose to the alert level of 6.7 meters.

At 3 p.m., the Provincial Road in Barangay Annafunan East was already under water, along with several houses, the Cagayan Provincial Information Office (CPIO) reported.

The CPIO said the rains were spawned by the northeast monsoon.

In Isabela, an overflow bridge was reported impassable in Barangay Baculud in Ilagan City.

Dam releases

Yesterday, water levels in two Luzon dams continued to rise due to prolonged rains, with Magat Dam in Ramon, Isabela opening one gate at of 9 a.m. and Angat Dam in Bulacan also opening one gate at 2 p.m.

PAGASA said Magat’s water level was at 190.24 meters as of 6 a.m. Sunday, just 2.76 meters below its normal high water level of 193 meters.

Water released from the dam was expected to affect the towns of Ramon, San Mateo, Aurora, Cabatuan, Luna, Reina Mercedes, Burgos, Naguilian and Gamu in Isabela as the whole stretch of the Cagayan River, including major tributaries, was likely to rise 12 hours from the time the gate was opened.

Meanwhile, PAGASA tweeted that Angat Dam opened one gate at 2 p.m. yesterday as the water level rose to 213.38 meters, which is above the reservoir’s normal-high water level of 212 meters.

At 2:17 p.m., Ipo Dam which is a sub-basin located 7.5 km downstream of Angat also opened one gate.

Likely to be affected by water discharged from Angat and Ipo were the municipalities of Norzagaray, Angat, San Rafael, Bustos, Baliuag, Pulilan and Plaridel. – Raymund Catindig, Helen Flores, Alexis Romero, Romina Cabrera