Pagasa warns of more flooding

As shear line continues to bring strong rains

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) yesterday warned of more flooding as the shear line continues to affect many areas in the country.

At a briefing, PAGASA weather specialist Chenel Dominguez said heavy to intense rains were experienced in Palawan, Sorsogon, Albay, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte and Biliran yesterday.

Moderate to heavy rains were also reported in Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte.

In Palawan, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) separately rescued 91 families and 56 people in several communities in Puerto Princesa City on Sunday.

“We are advising affected residents to take extra precaution as localized flooding and landslides may occur because of continuous rains in the last few days,” Dominguez said.

She noted that aside from the shear line, the northeast monsoon and the easterlies are also affecting other areas.

“The three weather systems continue to affect the country. The northeast monsoon or amihan will persist in a big portion of the country while the easterlies or warm wind from the Pacific Ocean will affect Mindanao. Shear line will affect Quezon, Aurora, Bicol region and Mimaropa. It will also bring rains in Palawan and Visayas. Caraga will be affected by the easterlies,” Dominguez said.

Moderate to heavy rains are expected today until Wednesday noon in Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Quezon, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.

According to the PCG District Palawan, personnel of the Deployable Response Group, Special Operations Group and PCG Station Central Palawan rescued 91 families and 26 people affected by the flooding in Puerto Princesa City.

The PRC-Palawan chapter also posted on Facebook the rescue of 30 people in Barangay San Manuel.

It said that 365 people who sought shelter at Manuel Austria Memorial Elementary School in Barangay San Manuel and Gregorio Oquendo Memorial School in Barangay Milagrosa were given hot meals, aid and support.

The PRC added that welfare desks were established in several evacuation centers to ensure that none of the evacuees would go hungry.

Also in a Facebook post, the PCG District Palawan said 91 families were rescued as of 7 a.m. yesterday.

“The mission remains focused on ensuring public safety, conducting rescue operations as needed, and providing immediate assistance to affected families and individuals,” the PCG said in the post.

At least 81 PCG personnel were dispatched to seven barangays that were reported to have been experiencing flooding due to heavy rains brought by the shear line. — Evelyn Macairan, Rhodina Villanueva