Flood-hit Cagayan closely monitoring low-lying areas, mountains amid Typhoon Carina

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) of Cagayan is closely monitoring the province’s low-lying areas, particularly its rivers as well as those living in mountain communities due to the threat of heavy rain caused by Typhoon Carina.

According to a 24 Oras report by Jasmin Gabriel-Galban of GMA Regional TV on Tuesday, some roads are impassable such as in Gonzaga which was flooded following the strong after effects of Carina and the Habagat or Southwest Monsoon.

The flood also reached several houses as the river's water level rose. 

In the town of Baggao, the Pared River overflowed, which made the Bagunot Bridge impassable and affected residents and motorists in the area.

Currently, the MDRRMO is continuously monitoring the water level in the river and said that if the river current becomes stronger, travel along the waterway will be be temporarily stopped.

The fields of several crops that were supposed to be harvested at the end of the month were also flooded.

Heavy rains also affected the towns of Sta. Ana and Peñablanca.

In the town of Abulug, floodwater entered the Libertad National High School.

Six towns at risk are being monitored due to Typhoon Carina. 

“Since magdamag ang buhos ng ulan we are expecting na ‘yung volume ng tubig na bumuhos sa Sierra Madre ay babagsak dito sa Cagayan," said Ruelie Rapsiny, Cagayan DRRM Officer.

(Since it rained overnight we are expecting that the volume of water that poured into the Sierra Madre will fall into Cagayan.)

The no sailing and no fishing policy is still up along the Cagayan coast.

Weather forecast

Based on the 5 p.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said Typhoon Carina continues to intensify as it moves northward at 20 kph at 325 kilometers east northeast of Basco, Batanes.

Batanes, which remains under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 will experience stormy conditions.

The following areas are under Signal No. 1 and  will experience strong winds of 39 to 61 kph in the next 36 hours:

• Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
• The eastern portion of Isabela (Divilacan, Palanan, Maconacon, Dinapigue, Tumauini, Ilagan City, San Mariano, Cabagan, San Pablo, Santa Maria)
• The northern portion of Apayao (Calanasan, Luna, Pudtol, Flora, Santa Marcela, Kabugao)
• The northern portion of Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud, Bangui, Adams, Dumalneg, Burgos, Vintar, Pasuquin, Bacarra, Carasi)

PAGASA noted the Southwest Monsoon, enhanced by Typhoon Carina, will bring moderate to intense rainfall over the western portion of Luzon until Thursday.—Sherylin Untalan/RF, GMA Integrated News