'Fabian'-induced floods leave P72.1-M damage to agri, infra in Bulacan


Typhoon "Fabian" left a trail of destruction in the province of Bulacan with damage to agriculture and infrastructure now estimated at P72,124,143.15 million.

Barangay San Pablo, Hagonoy flood

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMO) reported that at least 102 villages in the towns of Hagonoy, Guiguinto, Paombong, Bocaue, Balagtas, Bulakan, Calumpit, Marilao, Obando, Norzagaray, and cities of Malolos and Meycauayan remain submerged in floodwaters, aggravated by the release of waters from Bustos and Ipo dams as well as high tide.

PDRRMO executive officer Liz Mungcal said that in the 102 barangays, 888 families or 2,920 individuals are now temporarily housed in 72 evacuation centers in Bulacan.. From District 1, the total number of evacuees is 409 families or 1,402 individuals; from District 2 -- 280 families or 866 individuals; District 3 -- 38 families or 152 individuals, and from District 4 -- 161 families or 500 individuals.

Mungcal said the water level of Angat Dam as of 5:00 pm on Monday was 187.93 meters from 187.47 meters on Sunday evening, still way below its spilling level of 210 meters. Ipo Dam was 100.80 meters from its spilling level of 101:00 meters on Sunday evening, while Bustos Dam was down to 17.31 meters from 17.33 meters last Sunday.

From 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, July 26, Ipo Dam has discharged a total of 101.4 cms. of water, while Bustos Dam, from 1:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., three gates opened and released a total of 292 cubic meters of water.

The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSDWDO) distributed 399 family food packs -- 1st District - 237; 2nd District - 113, and 4th District - 49.

City of San Jose Del Monte CDRRMO also reported soil erosion in Barangays San Rafael 111 and V, Ilog Bayan Bridge in Poblacion, and Sto Nino 1 due to storm drain leaks caused by monsoon rains. Flash-flooding was also monitored in Barangays Dulong Bayan and Minuyan Proper.

The villages of Sto Nino, Sta. Monica, Mercado, San Jose, Sto. Rosario, Sta. Cruz, San Pascual, San Sebastian, San Nicolas, and San Pablo Purok 2 were all not passable to light vehicles. Barangay Nagbalon of Marilao as of 5 p.m. on Monday was not passable to all types of vehicles.