Floods hampering rescue ops in Cabanatuan City –official

Rescue operations in typhoon-hit Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija are being hampered by floods that have yet to recede as of Monday, a disaster official said.

"Hindi maka-penetrate and rescue boats dahil sa mataas na tubig at strong current," Nigel Lontoc, deputy director of the Office of Civil Defense in Region III, told GMA News Online by phone.


Although Typhoon Lando has slightly weakened as it traversed the coastline of Ilocos provinces on Monday afternoon, it has left many parts of Central Luzon flooded, isolated, and without power. 

 

Of the 32 barangays in Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija province, 25 of them are known to be prone to flooding. Lontoc said pre-emptive evacuation was only conducted in those barangays. 

 

However, the residents of the seven barangays, situated in relatively elevated areas, did not see the flood coming.

"Nagulat sila na binabaha sila na lagpas tao," Lontoc said. "Mga matataas na barangay iyon na inabot na rin ng baha."

 

Aside from Cabanatuan City, rescue operations are also ongoing in the municipalities of Jaen and Cabiao. They are also monitoring the municipality of Gabaldon. 

 

Lontoc added that the entire province of Aurora is still without power as of posting time. But power restoration has been ongoing. 

 

Meanwhile, the National Grid Corportation of the Philippines Inc (NGCP) said that 19 transmission lines have been restored as of Monday 11 a.m. 

 

Next critical areas

 

While many parts of Nueva Ecija are still flooded, Lontoc warned that the floodwaters may go down to some parts of Pampanga and Bulacan, which he identified as the next critical areas. 

 

Pampanga River has started to swell and if it overflows, some areas such as Candaba, Arayat, Masantol, Macabebe, and other areas going to Manila Bay may be affected. 

 

Areas near Calumpit River and Angat River in Bulacan especially those near coastal areas should also remain alert, he said. 

 

State of dams 

 

Earlier, the San Roque Flood Forecasting and Warning System Dam Office said it will start releasing water from the San Roque Dam in San Manuel, Pangasinan starting at 6 p.m. 
 

Lontoc said that although the said dam is beyond their responsibility, it could also affect areas in Tarlac. San Roque Dam is connected to Tarlac River through Agno River. 

 

Release of water could bring flooding to some areas in Tarlac such as Camiling, Paniqui, Moncada, and San Manuel. 

 

Meanwhile, they are still monitoring Nueva Ecija's Pantabangan Dam but nothing critical has been observed. 

 

In its 10 a.m. update, PAGASA said that Pantabangan Dam's reservoir water level is at 200.37 meters. 

 

Agricultural damage

 

Known as the Rice Granary of the Philippines, Central Luzon is known for its large production of rice. Lontoc said that the typhoon brought huge damage to agricultue. 

 

"Malaki ang agri damage nito na dulot ng Lando lalo na sa mga palayan diyan sa Nueva Ecija at mga gulay na tinanim nila," he said. 

 

Fish pond owners in Central Luzon are also expecting huge losses because of the typhoon. 

 

Regional offices of the Department of Agriculture have yet to submit their reports. — RSJ/KBK, GMA News