Rivers overflow due to back-to-back typhoons
PARTS OF PANGASINAN FLOODED
SEVERAL parts of Pangasinan were already flooded early last week as Super Typhoon Nando (international name: RAGASA) swept through northern Philippines along with the prevailing southwest monsoon, and more rain was expected until the weekend from another severe tropical storm, named Opong (international name: Bualoi).
As of September 26, there were 23 barangays in Dagupan City, 21 in Calasiao, and at least 19 in Sta. Barbara that were reported to be flooded.
As of 8:00 a.m. Friday, the Marusay River in Calasiao was at an elevation of 10 feet above critical level while the Sinocalan River in Sta. Barbara had a water elevation of 6.6 meters, above the normal 6-meter level.
Both rivers flow into the Pantal River in Dagupan which empties into the sea.
Governor Ramon Guico III gave local government units the authority to suspend classes and work in their respective jurisdictions, citing Executive Order No. 66-2012. The four cities in the province – Alaminos, Dagupan, San Carlos, and Urdaneta – and at least 40 of the 44 towns declared suspensions.
In Sta. Barbara, the flooding was worsened as repair work was still ongoing on a flood control project damaged by previous typhoons this year.
Rey Santos, head of the Sta. Barbara Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), said that the flood control project located in Barangay Alibago was damaged in July.
“The flood control project in the far end of Barangay Alibago was damaged by the storms back in July, which contributed to the overflow,” he said in an interview over Aksyon Radyo Pangasinan.
As of September 23, Santos and his team were still conducting site assessments to evaluate the extent of the flooding.
“Our priority was to respond to the rescue requests, particularly in Barangays Leet and Minien West,” he said, noting that reports indicated that floodwaters in Barangay Leet reached waist to chest-deep levels.
Emergency response teams across the province were placed on alert. (Leonardo Micua/Ahikam Pasion)
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