At least 1,500 individuals or 500 families were affected by a flashflood that ravaged six barangays in Banaue, Ifugao on Thursday afternoon, July 7.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said heavy rains accompanied by strong winds triggered the flashflood and a series of soil collapse around 4:45 p.m.
Some of the affected residents had to evacuate due to the threat of flooding. As of Friday, July 8, there were 23 individuals staying in an evacuation center in Ifugao.
At least three roads and bridges in Banaue were deemed impassable to the public namely the Mayoyao-Alfonso Lista-Isabela Boundary Road in Brgy. Poitan; Banaue-Hungduan Benguet Boundary Road in Brgys. Poblacion and Gohang; and Nueva Vizcaya-Ifugao-Mt. Province Boundary Road in Brgys. Amganad, Tam-An, Poblacion, and Viewpoint.
Due to the flashflood, one house was totally damaged in Banaue, according to the NDRRMC.
Meanwhile, at least 500 family food packs were distributed to the affected families so far.
NDRRMC Executive Director Ricardo Jalad advised the public to be vigilant against the increased threat of flashflood and soil erosion because of the incessant rains brought by Habagat or southwest monsoon and other weather systems.
Aside from Habagat, a low pressure area (LPA) is also being monitored by weather experts inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). It was located about 950 kilometers east of Davao as of 3 a.m. Friday and there is a high probability it will develop into a typhoon which will be called “Ester.”
“Tag-ulan na muli. Gaya ng aming laging paalala sa lahat, laging maghanda sa mga bantang panganib gaya ng pagbaha at pagguho ng lupa (It’s rainy season once again. Similar to our reminders to the public before, we advise everyone to prepare from the threats of flooding and soil collapse),” Jalad said.
“Nariyan ang posibleng pagtama ng mga malalakas na bagyo kaya’t ibayong pag-iingat at pagsunod sa abiso ng awtoridad ang ating paalala at patuloy na panawagan sa ating mga kababayan (There is a possibility that strong typhoons will hit us that’s why we appeal to the public to exercise precaution and adhere to the advise of authorities),” he added.