Rains, Bustos Dam water release cause flooding in Bulacan

Parts of Bulacan province were hit by floods following continuous rains and the release of water from Bustos Dam, according to Cedric Castillo's report on “24 Oras” on Tuesday.

Some families in Alona town were forced to evacuate as floodwaters rose.

“Minsan po may ahas sa loob dahil sobrang lalim ng tubig. High-tide [at] baha na rin po siguro ito kasi hindi na lumiliit eh. ‘Yung kuntador din namin kaya lumilikas kami medyo aabutan na rin po. Nakakatakot baka madisgrasya,” a resident said.

(We sometimes see snakes during floods. The water can be a combination of flood and high tide because it is not subsiding. We evacuated because the water level is slowly reaching the electric meter. We were afraid it would endanger us.)

A family in the municipality of Calumpit had to climb through their window to enter their house as the flood in their area has yet to subside.

“Mahirap po lalo na may mga bata kaming maliit. Napakadelikado po. Napakahirap pong maghanapbuhay pag ganyan,” said resident Mary Grace.

(Our situation is difficult, especially because we have kids. It’s dangerous and it’s hard to work.)

The heavy rains and the high tide from Manila Bay also triggered knee-deep floods and paralyzed livelihood in Hagonoy.

“Tricycle po eh iilan na po 'yung umubra dahil talaga pong napakalaking abala. Hindi na po namin inaasahang mawawala 'yan. Ang kailangan po namin pataasan 'yung bahay at kalsada,” a tricycle driver said.

(There are a few tricycles because of the flood. We don’t expect this problem to go away. What we need is for the government to heighten the roads and houses.)

In Malolos City, a one-year-old child drowned in Barangay Longos. According to her uncle, the victim was left beside her sleeping father when the flood hit their house. The victim’s mother returned, only to find her child’s body floating and lifeless.

Some parts of the city were also hit by gutter-deep floods after the creek and the farmlands spilled.

At least nine barangays reported flooding, the Malolos City Rescue said.

The Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office has yet to issue a statement but the continuous rainfall prompted Bustos Dam to release water, triggering flood in major parts of the province. — Sundy Locus/BM, GMA Integrated News