CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Floodings triggered by recent typhoons and the southwest monsoon rains have impacted over a million Kapampangans, according to a situation report of the provincial disaster risk reduction and management office dated Aug. 31.
PDRRMO data showed a total of 326,907 families, or 1,047,664 individuals, were affected by the flooding in 334 barangays in 20 of Pampanga’s 21 towns and cities. At least 181 barangays recorded evacuations, involving 4,622 families or some 17,300 individuals.
Only Mabalacat City was not included in the PDRRMO list of flooded local government units.
The office of the provincial agriculturist estimated total losses at P1.25 billion, broken down to P786 million in fisheries, P295.1 million in rice, P127.8 million in high-value crops, P22.5 million in cassava, and P7.7 million in corn, along with P9.08 million in farm structures and P1.2 million in farm machinery. Affected were more than 40,000 farmworkers.
Additional losses amounting to over P22.2 million involving livestock and egg production were reported by the provincial veterinarian office.
Scouring and erosion caused by floodwaters have also damaged roads, river walls, dikes, and slope protection structures in the towns of Candaba, Guagua, Lubao, Sta. Rita, Mexico, and other flood-prone areas. Among the most significant damages was the collapsed concrete slope protection structure at the Sta. Catalina, Minalin section of the San Fernando-Sto. Tomas-Minalin Tail Dike with an estimated cost of P200 million.
At least 18 houses were reported totally damaged and 65 partially damaged.
Sandbagging, temporary barriers, clearing operations and preemptive evacuations are being carried out in several critical locations while engineering teams assess the damage.
Flooding has also disrupted transportation, with several barangays and connecting roads declared impassable to light vehicles in Masantol, Macabebe, Apalit, San Simon, Minalin, Sto. Tomas, Mexico, Sta, Ana, San Luis, Candaba, Lubao, and the City of San Fernando.
Provincial and local disaster officials continue to monitor flooded communities, waterways and critical infrastructure as intermittent rains continue across Pampanga.
Emergency meeting
On Aug. 31, Gov. Lilia “Nanay” Pineda and Vice Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda convened an emergency interagency meeting with representatives from the Office of Civil Defense, Department of National Defense, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, water and electric cooperatives, and several local government units.
The meeting centered on the continuing delivery of food and sustenance to evacuation centers; additional medicines and continuing medical services; access to potable water, especially in Macabebe; augmentation of relief goods in hard-to-reach areas due to the floods; additional rescue personnel and enhanced emergency response; closer and coordinated inter-agency action.
The hours-long traffic gridlock at the North Luzon Expressway caused by the high water levels at the Tulaoc Bridge area in San Simon was also tackled as a critical point in the movement of people, goods, and essentials in Pampanga and parts of Central and Northern Luzon.
NLEX Advisory
On Sept. 1, NLEX Corp. said Class 1 vehicles were being diverted to designated exits and alternative routes, while Class 2 and 3 vehicles could continue through the affected areas, subject to traffic conditions.
For southbound motorists, Class 1 vehicles were being diverted to the Mexico Exit. Those traveling to Manila from SCTEX or TPLEX were advised to take the Central Luzon Link Expressway toward Maharlika Highway.
For northbound traffic, Class 1 vehicles were being diverted via the Sta. Rita Exit and advised to proceed along Maharlika Road toward the Central Luzon Link Expressway. Class 1 entry was also temporarily restricted at the Pulilan northbound toll plaza.
Delays of nearly four to six hours were experienced in the affected areas. Punto News Team/Photos: Pampanga PIO
