Cabagan, Isabela residents appeal for help to drain flood from Ulysses

Some residents of a barangay in Cabagan, Isabela are appealing to the government to provide a machine that would suck floodwaters in their area.

The floodwaters are still calf-deep in some parts of Barangay Ngarag, almost a week after Typhoon Ulysses caused widespread flooding in Isabela and Cagayan, according to a report by Jonathan Andal on GMA News' Unang Balita on Tuesday.

There is no drainage in the area, and residents are worried the floodwaters will not subside.

Residents have placed their belongings on the upper parts of their houses which are dry, while some were left to dry outside.

Ibinibilad na ng mga magsasaka para subukang maisalba ang mga nabasa nilang palay at mais sa Cabagan, Isabela. Sa ngayon, abot-binti pa rin ang baha sa Bgy Ngarag dahil walang malabasan ang tubig @gmanews pic.twitter.com/zngtO5ioKa

— Jonathan Andal (@JonathanAndal_) November 17, 2020

A basketball court's hoop could be seen sticking out from the water.

A cornfield in the barangay was also flooded. Some corn stalks were still left standing, but residents do not know if these can still be of use.

Residents said the flooding, which reached chest-level, was the worst they have ever experienced.

Electricity and water service have already been restored in Barangay Ngarag, but the water coming out of faucets is still brownish.

Meanwhile the flood in other parts of Cabagan has subsided.

However, in some areas of Isabela, residents fear the flooding could last for a month.

Some barangays are still isolated, and relief goods could only reach them via air drop using a helicopter.

In Tumauini, some residents camped out on the highway as their houses were damaged by the flood.

Isabela has been placed under state of calamity after Ulysses brought heavy rains, which was aggravated by the release of water from Magat Dam.

At least three people died in the province due to the widespread flooding.

Isabela Governor Rodolfo "Rodito" Albano III on Saturday said the extent of damage due to flooding following the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses in the province is far worse than what Metro Manila has sustained. —KG, GMA News