Parts of Cagayan was submerged in deep floodwater by Severe Tropical Storm Nika, according to Jasmin Gabriel-Galban’s Tuesday report on 24 Oras.
In Tuguegarao City, the roofs of houses in a barangay could no longer be seen due to the floods.
As of 6 p.m. Tuesday, the water level of the Cagayan River reached 11.2 meters, which is beyond the critical level.
A house collapsed after it was swept by the raging river in Barangay Taguntungan in the town of Baggao.
Fortunately, the house was occupied during the incident. It is one of four houses in the barangay that were destroyed.
Water flowed along a mountain slope that inundated neighborhoods in Sitio Marus, Hacienda Intal, which also affected the Camuyan Day Care Center.
“Nagdala na kami ng food packs, non-food items, kitchen utensils, mga kumot po then bigas,” said Pong Corpuz, Baggao Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management officer.
(We brought food packs, non-food items, kitchen utensils, blankers, and rice.)
The towns of Solana and Alcala were also flooded, including the wet market in Solana.
Meanwhile, authorities rescued the residents of Barangay Sta. Clara in the municipality of Gonzaga.
Knee-deep flood was observed in Quinawegan Elementary School in Buguey town.
In Tuguegarao City, vendors immediately fled with their belongings due to the rapid rise of floodwaters on Monday evening.
A family hastily worked together to get their merchandise loaded in their vehicle.
“Kaya kaunti lang po ‘yung gamit kasi hindi po talaga kami nagbalik ng mga gamit. Kasi nung huli po, mga 30-45 minutes lang po nandiyan na ‘yung tubig,” vendor Carmina Talamayan said.
(We only loaded a few goods since we really did not return our other goods from the last time, the water rose within 30 to 45 minutes.)
Vegetables and a refrigerator were placed in a wagon.
“Mabilis po kasi ‘yung daloy ng tubig dito. Kapag nag-open po ‘yung dam, dire-diretso na po rito,” vendor Ruel de Leon said.
(The flow of water here is pretty fast, when the dam opens, the water directly goes here.)
Residents were also preparing to flee from floods that usually rise to above head level.
“Mamaya lilikas na po kami ma’am. Nagpapa-akyat na po kami lahat ng mga karga namin dahil po lumakas daw ‘yung tubig,” resident Julie Yoman said.
(We will evacuate in a while. We have transferred our stuff to higher ground as strong water currents are coming.)
On Tuesday morning, the floodwater reached almost roof level, causing some residents to sleep in tents along a road.
“Hirap ma’am eh. Pataas na naman ‘yan eh kaya tingnan mo ‘yung karga namin, andami naming karga ma’am,” affected resident Maribel dela Cruz said.
(It’s difficult since the water will rise again. We have to carry a lot of things.)
“Halos nahihirapan na sila sa nangyayari. Naaapektuhan na po nila ‘yung pang-araw-araw na kabuhayan nila,” said Mariano Baylon Jr. Chairman of Centro 10 in Tuguegarao City.
(Our people are finding things difficult. Their livelihoods have been affected.)
A total of 21 barangays in Tuguegarao have been flooded, forcing more than 3,000 people to seek shelter in evacuation centers, which will remain open despite the flood subsiding as another tropical storm, Ofel, is expected in a few days.
“Huwag muna pauwiin kasi ang hirap i-evacuate sila. The problem is not going back but evacuating them. ‘Pag dumating na naman ‘yung bagyo, for sure na baha, problema tayo,” said Roderick Ramirez, Tuguegarao City DRRM officer.
(We are not letting them go home since it’s difficult to evacuate them. The problem is not going back to their houses but evacuating them. When the storm comes, for sure there will be floods and it’s going to be a problem.)
Aside from flooded bridges and roads, Lasam, Abulug, Rizal, and Sta. Ana towns and a portion of Tuguegaro City also have no electricity.
Cagayan province has been under a state of calamity since the onslaught of Typhoon Julian and since October, has experienced five tropical cyclones.
The quick response funds of Cagayan have been depleted since the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, but each municipal and city local government units have remaining funds to respond to calamities. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News
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