05 November 2010

The number of families affected by floods and landslides in Regions II, III, and Cordillera Region rose to 13,661 (68,641 individuals), according to NDRRMC. Continuous rains which started October 30, triggers massive flooding, and landslides.

According to Pagasa, the amount of rainfall in Cagayan River Basin observed in the past 24 hours is at 110 mm, which is lower compared to yesterday’s 192 mm. Water levels in some parts of Cagayan River Basin started to recede except in lower main Cagayan River where water levels continue to rise. Flooding in low-lying areas affected by Cagayan River is expected to persist in the next 12 hours:

• Low-lying areas in the municipalities of Santiago, Echague, Angadanan, Alicia, Cauayan, Reina Mercedes, Naguilian, Gamu, Ilagan, Tumauini, Delfin Albano, Sto. Tomas, Cabagan, Sta. Maria, and San Pablo, all in Isabela.
• Low-lying areas in Tuguegarao, Enrile, Solana, Iguig, Amulung, Alcala, Gattaran, Lasam, Lallo, Camalaniugan, and Aparri in Cagayan

Meanwhile, floods in 15 barangays in Casiguran, Aurora have already subsided but, four barangays in Rizal, Kalinga are still flooded.

Landslides were also reported at Brookside in Brgy. Bulanao, Tabuk, Kalinga where two houses are covered by mudslides; and at Purok 4, Brgy. Libertad and Brgy. Dipuso, all in San Mariano, Isabela where five people are killed.

The weather system today is affected by tail-end of a cold front (affecting North and Central Luzon), and Intertropical Convergence Zone (affecting Visayas and Mindanao).

Initial Effects

As of 6 am today, a total 13,661 families from 140 barangays in the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Aurora, Apayao and Kalinga were affected by floods and landslides. Of that, 668 families or 3,533 persons are inside 30 evacuation centers.

(Source: NDRRMC Sit Rep # 6, Effects of Continuous Rains in Regions I, II, and CAR)

Meanwhile, NDRRMC reported that at least seven people are killed and two are missing, mostly due to landslides. Six of those who died were from Isabela, while the other one is from Kalinga. The two reported missing are Victor and Jovic Quiyang from Cagayan. Earlier news also report another one who died in Tuguegarao City in Cagayan.

Magat Dam Status

Water level in Magat Dam already exceeded its spilling level, now at 193.31 meters. The dam continues to release water since Tuesday but operators say that their release are “measly” to cause flood.

Saturnino Tenedor, instrumentation division chief at Magat Dam, said Wednesday, as quoted on Inquirer report, “It is unfair to put the blame on us” since the water releases are gradual.

Today, two floodgates are opened at three meters high, releasing waters at 630 cubic meters per second.

Sources: Pagasa, NDRRMC, Inquirer.net