Pepito causes flooding in Quezon, other areas

Rains from Tropical Depression Pepito since Monday have caused flooding in some areas.

In Lopez, Quezon, parts of Maharlika Highway became flooded on Tuesday.

The highway is still passable as of posting time but this poses a challenge to motorists.

Meanwhile, in some barangays in Lopez, floodwaters were already waist-deep. 

Flood in Lopez, Quezon on Tuesday morning, Oct. 20, 2020.  

Floodwaters were already waist-deep in some barangays in Lopez, Quezon on Oct. 20, 2020.  

In Calauag and Tagkawayan, Quezon, floodwaters were knee-deep past 6 a.m. and entered some houses.

Pepito's trough or extension has also caused floods in Cotabato, according to a report by Mai Bermudez on GMA News' Unang Balita on Tuesday.

In President Roxas, Cotabato, some houses were submerged in flood after a river overflowed. Several farm animals such as hogs and chickens were carried away by the current.

A river in Magpet also overflowed. Some residents had a hard time crossing the area.

In Pikit, 15,000 residents were evacuated after over 30 barangays were also flooded.

Around 2,500 residents in Kabacan stayed in evacuation centers due to the flooding. The local government already assisted the affected residents.

In Makilala, a man died after being caught in a mudslide. A part of a mountain in the area, which was already damaged by earthquake last year, collapsed amid continuous rainfall.

The mud reached the highway causing some motorists to get stranded on the road.

According to initial report, at least three homes were swept away due to the incidents. Concerned residents were safe because they have evacuated beforehand.

Meanwhile, in Baggao, Cagayan, some bridges were also flooded. Due to this, residents used boat to cross the area.

Landslides were also reported in three barangays. One house was damaged.  No one was hurt in the incidents as residents have already evacuated.

In Metro Manila, fishermen pulled their bancas to safer ground in anticipation of bad weather.

A fisherman in Baseco Compound in Manila pulls his banca to safer ground on Tuesday, October 20, 2020 as Metro Manila braces for Tropical Depression Pepito, which is seen to develop into a tropical storm before its expected landfall in the evening.  Danny Pata

Twenty-three areas were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 on Tuesday due to Pepito.

Pepito is expected to intensify into a tropical storm before its expected evening landfall on Tuesday. —Peewee Bacuño and Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News