04 NOVEMBER 2010

Massive floods hit at least 100 villages in Isabela and Cagayan, and 15 barangays in Casiguran, Aurora. The flood is triggered by continuous heavy rains. Thousands have already evacuated while one is confirmed dead.

Reports say that Corazon Alam, 77, resident of Tuguegarao City, was found dead, floating in a creek. Authorities say Alam fell on the creek which is already swelling that time.

As of 11 am today, NDRRMC reported about 500 families or at least 2,000 individuals evacuated from towns in Cagayan, Quirino, and Aurora.

In the flood bulletin issued by Pagasa at 11 am today, the amount of rainfall in Cagayan River Basin observed for the past 24 hours hit 192 mm. Floods are expected to persist for the next 12 hours in the low-lying areas of:

• Santiago, Echague, Angadanan, Alicia, and Cauayan in Isabela due to gradual rise of upper main Cagayan River and its tributaries, Ganao and Diadi River.
• Municipalities of Reina Mercedes, Naguilian, Gamu, Ilagan, Tumauini, Delfin Albano, Sto. Tomas, Cabagan. Sta. Maria, and San Pablo all in Isabela due to continuous rise of middle main Cagayan River and its tributaries: Magat River, and Pinacanauan Rivers of Ilagan, Tumauini and San Pablo.
• Low-lying areas of Tuguegarao, Enrile, Solana, Iguig, Amulung, Alcala, Gattaran, Lasam, Lallo, Camalaniugan, and Aparri in Cagayan due to continuous rise of lower main Cagayan River and its tributaries: Pinacanauan River of Tuguegarao, Pared River, Chico River, Dummun River, and Zinundungan River.

Pagasa also issued flood bulletin for Abra, Kalinga, Apayao, Benguet, Mt. Province and Ifugao in the Cordillera, Aurora Province (particularly in Casiguran, Umiray, Amutan, Ibona, and Dingalan) in Central Luzon, and in Region XIII (CARAGA). The amount of rainfall in Baguio is 9.0 mm while in Casiguran – 251.4mm and Baler – 168.1mm. Moderate to heavy rains is expected to continue for the next 12 to 24 hours in these areas.

Status of Magat Dam

Officials of Magat Dam, dismissed yesterday the speculations that the flooding is caused by water releases from the dam, saying the releases were gradual. As of 6 am today, the water level in Magat reached 193.18 meters wherein the spilling level is at 193 meter. Three floodgates were opened, one at one meter high, while the two are at two meters high, releasing waters at 1,183 cubic meters per second.

Status of Roads and Bridges

Some secondary roads and bridges in Cagayan and Isabela are rendered impassable. The roads are:

(Source: NDRRMC Situation Report #3 for Flooding in Isabela and Cagayan)

Meanwhile, some major roads in Aurora were also closed either due to floods or landslides, or the roads were washed out or cut off.

Present Weather Condition

According to the weather bureau, a tail-end of a cold front is affecting North and Central Luzon, while Intertropical Convergence Zone affects weather system in Mindanao.

Sources: NDRRMC; PAGASA; Inquirer.net; DZMM