CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga -- Incessant rains brought by tropical cyclone Ulysses have caused widespread flooding in several villages in 15 towns here Thursday.
The municipalities are Macabebe, Masantol, Sasmuan, Candaba, San Luis, Minalin, Sto. Tomas, Lubao, Guagua, Apalit, San Simon, Sta. Ana, Mexico, and Bacolor and together the City of San Fernando, these were inundated by floodwaters ranging from three to five feet deep.
In the towns of Masantol, Candaba, San Luis and Macabebe alone, at least 50 coastal villages were submerged in floodwaters 3 to 5 feet deep, according to reports from the Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).
Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda earlier placed low-lying areas in Pampanga's 4th district on pre-emptive evacuation to cushion the effects of the storm surge.
Through its local disaster risk reduction and management councils, in partnership with the local official, the governor said that they have readied five permanent evacuation centers for the affected residents or families.
"We're monitoring the situation 24/7 to minimize more damages and eventualities,"' the governor said.
Pineda said the province has also prepositioned food packs and disaster vehicles and teams to assist the affected families.