Tropical Storm Caloy
Tropical Storm Caloy is first spotted as a shallow low pressure area (SLPA) 200 kms. East of Central Luzon last July 17. Later that day, the weather disturbance became an active low pressure area (ALPA) 150 kms. East of Baler, Aurora.
National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) immediately released a weather advisory suggesting all residents of Luzon, especially in the eastern and northern sections to take precautionary measures for the weather disturbance may bring frequent to occasional rains that might trigger landslide.
At 4:00 AM, July 19, the LPA has intensified into a Tropical Depression and was named “Caloy” with a maximum sustained winds of 55 kph, moving west northwest at 20 kph. The location of the center is 200 kms. West of Subic, Zambales. As it moved farther away from the country, “Caloy” has intensified into a tropical storm, moving northwest at 15 kph, with maximum sustained winds of 65 kph and gustiness of up to 80 kph (PAGASA update, July 19, 10:00 PM).
As of July 20, 5:00 AM, TS Caloy is 420 kms. West Northwest of Dagupan City. It slowed down as it move out of Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) at 11 kph with maximum sustained winds of 65 kph.
No public storm warning signal is raised but PAGASA alerted the local disaster coordinating councils to prepare for heavy rains (SunStar, July 19).
Effects of TS Caloy
At least 111 families from Brgys. Paltic and Caragsacan in Dingalan, Aurora evacuated due to a flashflood triggered by heavy rains on July 18. According to NDCC report released on July 19, 1:00 PM, six (6) families evacuated to TESDA Building, 20 to Perez residence, 36 at Caragsacan Barangay Hall, and 49 families at St. Patrick School Academy. Also, about 47 families in Baler, Aurora were rescued by Philippine Army due to flashflood.
A total of 235 families were affected and evacuated due to “Caloy” (as of July 20, 6:00 AM, NDCC), 208 of them are from Brgys. Paltic, Caragsacan, Aplaya, Butas na Bato, Davil-Davilan and Poblacion in Dingalan, and 27 from Brgy. Buhangin, Baler, Aurora.
Evacuees from Dingalan and Baler returned to their homes when the floodwaters subsided.
There were also minor slides recorded that caused road closure in provinces of Aurora, Benguet, Ifugao, and Nueva Ecija. All affected roads are still passable either to all vehicles or to light ones except for Hungduan-Tinoc-Benguet Road which is temporarily closed due to landslide (as of 12 noon, July 18).
Responses
The Philippine Army (in Brgy. Paltic) and local rescuers have conducted rescue operation in height of the flooding. On the other hand, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Engineering Offices are still conducting road clearing operations in areas affected by landslide/mudslide (as of July 20, 6 AM). Also, according to NDCC, one (1) unit each of bulldozer, chainsaw, and payloader are being utilized for the road clearing operations but NDCC did not cite on which area the said tools are being used.
Source: NDCC, SunStar Manila, PAGASA