A flooded area in Barangay Rizdelis, Cabanatuan City. (CDRRMO photo)
CABANATUAN CITY – Residents in low-lying areas were warned of cascading floodwaters hours after the rains brought by Typhoon Pepito stopped on Wednesday.
“Sa lahat po ng malapit sa kailugan maging alerto at mag ingat,” said Christopher Lee, chair of Barangay Pagashere.
Lee said their barangay disaster risk reduction and management council has been activated for immediate response.
At least 14 villages of this city were inundated by cascading water from the upstream areas as of 12 noon, according to the city risk reduction and management office. These include Communal, Calawagan, DS Garcia, Risdelis, Barrera (Purok Amihan), Mabini Homesite (Villaluz), Imelda, Bonifacio, MS Garcia, San Juan Accfa, Santa Arcadia (Bliss), Aduas Sur (Purok 1 and 3), San Josef Sur (Purok 6), and Valle Cruz (Purok 1,2,5 and 7)
Resident Marilou Macapagal of Valle Cruz expressed surprise over flood that came even after the rains had already stopped.
“Tumataas pa. Almost 12 hours na huminto ulan. Tanong: saan galing ang tubig? Bakit di humuhupa ang baha?” Macapagal asked.
In Laur town, Mayor Alexander Daus said some road sections affected by mudslides were immediately cleared with heavy equipment prepositioned by the office of Nueva Ecija 3rd District Rep. Ria Vergara.
The provincial government led by Gov. Aurelio Umali conducted immediate clearing of affected roads in Gabaldon town, according to the PDRRMO.
