Thousands evacuated in Cagayan due to Kiko

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines —  Authorities initiated the preemptive evacuation of 851 families or around 2,605 people in 64 barangays in Cagayan yesterday as Typhoon Kiko made landfall in Batanes.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said 2,800 people  in Cagayan’s 16 towns were affected.

Thirty COVID-19 patients in 18 barangays in Baggao town were among those evacuated.

Around 1,000 people or 368 families were accommodated by their neighbors, through the province’s ”adopt a neighbor” program, which was initiated when Typhoon Lawin hit last year.

In Batanes, PDRRMO chief Roldan Esdicol said seven families were evacuated in Basco and Sabtang towns.

At least 122 residents in Maconacon and Divilacan in Isabela were brought to evacuation centers.

The provincial government deployed disaster teams in the four coastal towns as well as low-lying and flood-prone areas in Isabela to evacuate residents if the need arises.

In Nueva Vizcaya, police director Col. Ranse Evasco said all major roads leading to Manila and Baguio City remain passable.

“Our policemen have been alerted to monitor possible landslides in their areas,” Evasco said.

There was no reported casualty as of yesterday.

Magat water level normal

Meanwhile, water in Magat Dam along the Isabela-Ifugao border remained at normal level yesterday.

As of 2 p.m., the National Irrigation Administration-Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (NIA-MARIIS) said the water level was at 185.74 meters.

The NIA-MARIIS said there would be no water release from the dam’s reservoir.

The water level rose only by more than two meters from 183.02 meters on Wednesday despite continuous heavy rains brought by Tropical Storm Jolina and Kiko. The dam’s spilling level is 193 meters.