Prolonged flooding puts Calasiao, Dagupan residents on edge
Residents in Calasiao, Pangasinan, board a kuliglig while others wade through floodwaters as the southwest monsoon continues to inundate communities.(Liezle Basa Inigo)
CALASIAO, PANGASINAN — Prolonged flooding brought out by the raging rains from the southwest monsoon, or "habagat", has disrupted daily life in parts of Calasiao and Dagupan City, with some residents reportedly dealing with floodwaters for nearly a month.
In Calasiao, residents have resorted to riding "kuliglig", a farm machinery, locally used form of transportation, to get through flooded roads and reach their destinations.
Floodwaters in some communities have reportedly reached waist level, forcing residents to find alternative ways to move around and, in some cases, seek safer ground.
The persistent flooding has also resulted in prolonged class suspensions in affected areas, disrupting the education of students for weeks.
In Dagupan City, the flooding is at times aggravated by high tide, which can slow the drainage of floodwaters in low-lying communities.
The prolonged inundation has also prompted residents to raise questions about the effectiveness of existing flood-control measures, including road-widening and road-elevation projects, in addressing recurring flooding.
Residents say the current situation is among the most prolonged flooding episodes they have experienced in recent memory.
While claims that the flooding is the worst or longest since 1972 .: for many residents, the water has stayed far too long.