Pagasa warns of flash floods, landslides

MANILA, Philippines - The state weather bureau warned the public yesterday against possible flash floods and landslides as the low pressure area (LPA) off Dagupan City in Pangasinan is expected to bring more rains over central and southern Luzon, including Metro Manila, in the next two to three days.

The LPA was spotted 230 kilometers east of Dagupan City as of 2 p.m. yesterday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

The weather disturbance “will continue to bring moderate to heavy rains,” it said in an advisory, saying that residents in the affected areas should take all the necessary precautionary measures.

Pagasa said moderate to rough seas will prevail in central and southern Luzon, the western section of northern Luzon, and the Visayas in the next 24 hours.

It said Luzon, particularly the western sections, will have monsoon rains, and the Visayas and Mindanao with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms.

Amid Pagasa’s warning, landslides hit portions of the national highway from Carranglan, Nueva Ecija to Cagayan Valley, stranding thousands of commuters and motorists for at least two hours along Dalton Pass in Nueva Vizcaya, while flash floods swept through Olongapo City and Botolan town in Zambales.

Senior Superintendent Pedro Danguilan, Nueva Vizcaya police director, said the traffic resumed only at around 5:30 a.m. yesterday as personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways and the local government units of Nueva Vizcaya and Nueva Ecija worked overnight to remove the eroded soil.

However, only one lane of the highway was reportedly opened to traffic, as the clearing operations continued.

In Olongapo City, Mayor Bong Gordon Jr. suspended classes in all levels yesterday as flash floods, caused by continued monsoon rains, hit many barangays.

At least 150 families or 658 residents were displaced, as most parts of the city’s commercial district were flooded.

City senior executive assistant Mike Pusing said the affected communities were mostly near the Kalaklan, Mabayuan and Sta. Rita rivers.

Pusing said those displaced were evacuated to the Olongapo City National High School and Old Cabalan Central Elementary School and given food and clothing assistance.

Meanwhile, flash floods as deep as five feet forced some 7,000 residents in low-lying areas in Botolan town to evacuate.

Authorities said five other towns in northern Zambales – Iba, Palauig, Masinloc, Candelaria and Sta. Cruz – have been isolated as floodwaters cut off anew the national highway in Barangay San Juan, Botolan town.

Recent typhoon “Kiko” wreaked destruction in Botolan after rampaging floodwaters breached the dike along the Bucao River. – With Charlie Lagasca, Ric Sapnu and Bebot Sison Jr.