CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela – A total of 7,000 families affected by flash floods in San Manuel and in Aurora in this province, received food packs and cash assistance, according to the Department of Social Welfare Development (DSWD).
The DSWD-Region 2 provided immediate assistance to 5000 families in San Manuel and 2000 families in Aurora affected by unexpected flash floods on Sunday, August 14.
DSWD regional director Cezario Joel Espejo led the distribution of Family Food Packs (FFPs) and 3,000 cash assistance under the department’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation to the affected families.
The investigation and validation of the numbers of affected and infrastructural damages of the said flooding are still ongoing, the report said.
Meanwhile, the National Irrigation Administration Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (NIA MARIIS) Division III clarified that flooding at Aurora was not caused by Magat dam operation.
In a statement, NIA MARIIS, said that the almost three hours of heavy downpour in San Manuel and Aurora, and almost two hours in Roxas, all in the province of Isabela, on August 13, 2022, had caused waterways to overflow.
This affected the upstream of the North Diversion Canal (NDC) of NIA-MARIIS.
“Overflow reached roads and even main thoroughfare affecting passage of vehicles,” NIA MARIIS added.
Reduction of Irrigation Diversion Requirement (IDR) had been made during the heavy downpour and IDR continued to be monitored,” added NIA MARIIS.
The officials of NIA said heavy equipment is deployed to help LGU clear waterways that would lead the flood to subside quickly.