Aghon causes flooding, impedes traffic in Calabarzon

Severe Tropical Storm Aghon caused flooding in the Calabarzon Region on Sunday, obstructing motorists and stranding commuters in several provinces.

In a 24 Oras Weekend report, the Quezon Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said a big portion of Lucena, Quezon City was flooded.

More than 300 individuals have been rescued so far, with the Quezon local government promising that its rescue operations would continue.

In Pagbilao, Quezon, the water from the overflowing river almost reached a train bridge.

Meanwhile, several boats in Mauban, Quezon were destroyed due to strong water currents.

Trees were knocked down in Lucban, Quezon while an electric post toppled in Tayabas. 

Meanwhile, as of 4 p.m. Sunday, only trucks and buses were able to pass through the waist-deep flood along the national highway in Bay, Laguna.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police provided free rides to the public as the Laguna Provincial Office said about a kilometer of the national highway was impassable due to flooding.

Several rice fields in Calauan, Laguna were filled with rainwater, while residents were evacuated as the water level in the river exceeded the normal water level in Pagsanjan, Laguna.

At least 197 families were in evacuation centers while seven areas in Laguna had no electricity.

Aghon’s strong winds blew the roofs of establishments in Lipa, Batangas, while a crane had to lift a truck out of a river after it slipped on the road and half fell into the river.

Aghon intensified into a severe tropical storm on Sunday afternoon. Signal No. 3 was hoisted over the Polillo Islands. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/DVM, GMA Integrated News