Floods hit some Luzon provinces due to Gener, Habagat

Floods were reported in some provinces in Luzon as Tropical Depression Gener and the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat hit the country, according to reports on GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita on Tuesday.

In Isabela, where Gener made landfall, three roads became impassable after three rivers overflowed due to the rains and release of water from Magat Dam.

In Cagayan, classes were suspended as some schools were flooded. The equipment in the campus was covered with tarpaulin to prevent it from getting wet.

In Pangasinan, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office is on red alert status as they brace for the possible impact of Gener on the province, according to a report of GMA Regional TV’s Jasmin Gabriel-Galban.

The local government is monitoring nine river systems that may swell and already positioned rescue equipment and emergency vehicles.

In Dagupan City, the high tide amid rains caused floods on some roads and establishments. Heavy traffic was observed on some roads.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was raised over 24 areas on Tuesday morning as Gener moved westward over Northern Luzon and enhanced the Southwest Monsoon, PAGASA said in a 5 a.m. bulletin.

Gener was located in the vicinity of Alicia, Isabela, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 70 kph, and central pressure of 996 hPa.

The tropical depression was moving westward at a speed of 30 kph with strong winds extending outwards up to 360 km from the center.

"Gener is forecast to emerge over the coastal waters of Ilocos Sur or La Union today. The tropical cyclone will then move generally westward over the West Philippine Sea until Thursday (19 September) before turning west northwestward as it heads towards southern China," said PAGASA.

Gener may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, according to PAGASA. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News