As of 5 a.m. Tuesday, a total of 91 families, or 268 individuals, have been evacuated from their homes in Pangasinan due to flooding, according to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).
PDRRMO assistant head Avenix Arenas reported that the evacuees are from the towns of Bugallon, Mangatarem, Calasiao, and Dagupan City, with the highest recorded water level of five feet in Barangay Talibaew, Calasiao. “The heavy rainfall in the upland eventually goes down to our river systems in the province,” she explained.
Monitoring by the PDRRMO indicated that the Marusay River in Calasiao and the Sinucalan River in Sta. Barbara are at critical levels. Additionally, the Balingcaguing River in Mabini, Agno/Bañaga River in Bugallon, and Bued/Cayanga River in San Fabian are above normal levels, while the Pantal River in Dagupan City is under yellow alert status, indicating potential slight flooding in low-lying areas.
The overflowing Camiling River in Tarlac has also caused flooding in some villages of Mangatarem. “It is adjacent to the rivers in Mangatarem and Urbiztondo, hence some of the villages are affected,” Arenas noted.
The ongoing monsoon has affected a total of 28,016 families, or 88,252 individuals, in the province. The PDRRMO’s monitoring has recorded PHP12.2 million in initial agricultural damage, PHP1.4 million to livestock, and PHP288 million in infrastructure damage as of Tuesday.
Arenas stated that the province remains under blue alert status, and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office has prepared relief packs for the affected families. Authorities are also investigating an alleged drowning incident in Sta. Barbara town.
Meanwhile, the PDRRMO has advised fisherfolk against sailing due to high waves at sea, even in the absence of a gale warning. Classes in all levels, both public and private, as well as work in government offices—except for frontline services—have been suspended.