TUGUEGARAO CITY – At least 380 families were evacuated, while 11 roads and 21 bridges were rendered impassable in Cagayan, Isabela and Quirino provinces, as of Monday, November 30, due to continuous rainfall that caused flooding in several towns.
Rescuers on Sunday preemptively evacuated 388 families in low-lying areas in Isabela and Cagayan as intermittent heavy rains caused rivers to swell anew.
"People got phobia and they have been readying themselves early now," Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba said, referring to the situation two weeks ago when typhoon Ulysses dumped heavy rains, causing widespread flooding in the two provinces.
Mamba said they were also closely monitoring the level of water in Cagayan River.
"Towns and cities near Cagayan River are affected but we are ready. We are resilient and learned our lessons," he added.
Information Officer Francis Joseph Reyes of the Office of the Civil Defense-Cagayan Valley said, in a news briefing, the 388 families or 1,033 individuals were transferred either to evacuation centers or their relatives' homes as they felt wary over the continuous rains brought by the cold frontal system.
At least 334 families are now temporarily housed at evacuation centers, while 54 families are with their relatives or friends, whose houses are located on higher grounds, he added.
Earlier reported to be flooded were Annafunan East, Centro 1 and Linao East villages in Tuguegarao City and Canan, Namnama and Tandul in Cabatuan, Isabela.
Residents of other low-lying areas in Luna, San Isidro and San Mateo towns in Isabela have also evacuated, retired general Jimmy Rivera, Isabela disaster risk reduction management officer, said.
Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office 2 (PRO-2) reported, at 10 a.m., Monday, that bridges and roads were not passable due to continuous rainfall and flood in several towns.
The roads that were not passable were in Cagayan: Rizal Sitio Talat Brgy Masi Road (Junction Logac- Lasam-Gagabutan road Rizal Section; Tuguegarao City: Pinacanauan Nat Tugue corner Aguinaldo St. , Pinacanauan Nat Tugue corner Cataggaman Nuevo highway , Pinacanauan Nat Tugue corner Bonifacio St. , Pinacanauan Nat Tugue corner Taft St. , Annafunan East Provincial road corner Aquino st, Tumanguil St, Bancud St, Magora St, Core Shelter road, Taguinod St. and Gomez St. extension going to Macapagal (Fish Depot).
In Amulung, Cagayan not passable was Tana-Annabuculan Road, and in Solana, Cagayan Sitio Ipil, Brgy Bauan East and Sitio Masin, Brgy Iraga.
In Claveria, inundated were the roads in Barangay D Leaño.
There were also 21 bridges that were impassable, 14 of them in Cagayan.
These were: Tuguegarao City: Capatan Overflow bridge ; Baggao:Bagunot Overflow Bridge , Abusag Overflow Bridge , Taytay-San Isidro Bridge , Mocag Bridge , Taguing Bridge and Ibulo Bridge.
Amulung: Goran-Cordova Bridge ; Enrile: Bunagan Bridge, Brgy San Jose and Birung Bridge, Brgy Liwan Sur ; In Penablanca: Sitio Nattallag, Brgy Manga Overflow Bridge ; in Tuao , the Itawes Bridge-impassable to light vehicles ; in Solana: Sitio Ipil, Brgy Bauan East and Sitio Masin, Brgy Iraga.
In Isabela province, impassable were the Cansan Overflow Bridge connecting Municipality of Cabagan and Sto Tomas ; Mozzozzin Sur Overflow Bridge connecting Cabagan and Sta Maria ; Ilagan City, Baculod Overflow Bridge ; Cauayan City Alicao-cao Overflow Bridge and Sto. Domingo, Quirino, Overflow Bridge.
In Quirino, rendered impassable werere Manglad Bridge in Madella and Sitio Bulan Overflow Bridge in Saguday.
Meanwhile, water level at Magat Dam was reported at 189.55 meters above sea level (masl), which was still below the spilling level of 193 meters, and critical level of 197 meters. (With a report from Philippine News Agency)