Luzon residents warned of floods, landslides

MANILA, Philippines - The state weather bureau yesterday warned Luzon residents of possible flash floods and landslides as widespread rains are expected to prevail over the region until today due to a shallow low pressure area.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said a shallow low pressure area, embedded along the intertropical convergence zone, will bring scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms in the country.

Rains are still expected over northern and central Luzon and Quezon province which may trigger flash floods and landslides, PAGASA said in an advisory. 

PAGASA supervising undersecretary Graciano Yumul said that as of 2 a.m. yesterday, the shallow low pressure area was spotted in the vicinity of Dagupan City in Pangasinan.

He said Metro Manila will also experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms. 

PAGASA said the low pressure area was not expected to develop into a tropical cyclone within the next 24 hours. 

One or two tropical cyclones are expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility this month. 

PAGASA said the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon and the Visayas will have rough to very rough seas.

“Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves,” it said.

Meanwhile, at least 15 towns in Cagayan Valley have again been warned of possible floods in the wake of continuous rains.

This, after Cagayan Valley’s major rivers such as the Cagayan, Magat and Pinacanauan rivers were reportedly starting to swell due to the rainfall hitting the region, including watersheds and mountainous areas, since last week.

The downpour also brought the Magat Dam along the Isabela-Ifugao border to its critical water level, prompting authorities to continue releasing water from its reservoir, which residents fear could aggravate the flooding.

The Office of Civil Defense in the region warned residents along riverbanks and mountain slopes of possible flash floods and landslides due to the prolonged rains, causing some river tributaries to overflow as well as weaken the stability of soil.  

Among the municipalities alerted for possible flooding were Alcala, Gattaran, Solana, Iguig, Amulung, Lallo, Aparri, Lasam, Enrile and Camalaniugan in Cagayan as well as Tuguegarao City, the capital.

The Isabela towns of San Pablo, Tumauini, Santa Maria, Cabagan and Ilagan and Cauayan City are also bracing for floods due to the rains, attributed to the low pressure area along the country’s northern part.  – With Charlie Lagasca, Raymund Catindig