Thousands evacuate in Isabela, Aurora

MANILA, Philippines - Thousands of people fled their homes in the provinces of Isabela and Aurora after their villages were flooded due to heavy rains spawned by the northwest monsoon, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said yesterday.

In a bulletin, the NDCC said 6,656 families in 31 barangays in the Isabela towns of Ilagan, Delfin Albano, Benito Soliven and San Mateo were moved to higher places.

In Aurora, 18 barangays in Casiguran and Dilasag towns have been affected by flooding. A total of 166 families or 795 people are now temporarily housed in four evacuation centers.

Four fishermen were reported missing off Aurora. Residents of Barangay Sabang, Baler town said the four – Ferdinand Basbas, 40, and his sons Michael Patrick, 20, and Norwin, 17, and Reynell Ritual, 16 – went fishing yesterday and failed to return home. 

Air Force helicopters conducted an aerial search for the four missing fishermen.

The NDCC reported a landslide in Barangay Sta. Felomina in Santa Maria, Isabela last Wednesday, although nobody was reported hurt or killed.

A pick-up truck of the Department of Public Works and Highways fell into a 30-foot ravine while conducting rescue and clearing operations in the area. No casualty was reported.

Floodwaters have also rendered several roads in the two provinces impassable.

Continuous heavy rains also triggered a landslide in Tinabac, Camarines Sur early yesterday morning, destroying two houses and cutting off vehicular traffic along the national highway.

A flash flood also swept through Barangay Malobago in Sipocot town, forcing 300 residents to flee their homes. Preemptive evacuation was also conducted in Ragay town for residents along riverbanks and in low-lying areas. – With Charlie Lagasca, Celso Amo and Jaime Laude