Cagayan residents warned of flooding as river reaches Above Alarm Level

Residents living near the lower part of Cagayan River were advised on Sunday morning to take the necessary precautions after the Cagayan River reached the Above Alarm Level.

In its 7 a.m. hydrological forecast for the Cagayan River Basin, PAGASA said flooding is threatening in Lower Cagayan River and its tributaries Pinacanauan de Tuguegarao, Chico, Pared and Dummun.

PAGASA warned of continuous rise in the water level of Lower Cagayan River since scattered rain showers and thunderstorms are expected.

In its 7 a.m. flood bulletin for the Cagayan River Basin, PAGASA said flooding is threatening in the low-lying areas near the lower part of Cagayan River.

These low-lying areas are Penabalanca, Tuguegarao City, Enrile, Solana, Iguig, Amulung, Alcala, Baggao, Lasam, Gattaran, Lallo, Camalaniugan and Aparri.

Meanwhile, the Above Alert Level was raised over Upper Cagayan and Middle Cagayan River and their tributaries.

PAGASA said flooding is still possible in these areas.

The tail-end of a frontal system and the easterlies will bring scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over Cagayan Valley and four other areas on Sunday, PAGASA said in its early morning forecast.

Aside from Cagayan Valley, the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Aurora, Quezon and the Bicol Region will have cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms. Flash floods or landslides may occur during moderate to at times heavy rains.

Two gates of Magat Dam remained open on Sunday morning, according to PAGASA. The waters from Magat Dam flow into the Cagayan River.

Around 40 families on Saturday were evacuated from Coreshelter, Barangay Annafunan East in Tuguegarao City after it experienced flooding anew resulting from incessant rains brought by the tail-end of a cold front.

Cagayan was heavily flooded two weeks ago when heavy rains from Typhoon Ulysses caused Cagayan River to swell, overflowing its banks. 

The Magat Dam also released water at the time. —KG, GMA News