Traumatized residents recall previous floods as Pililla River water level rises

Residents of Taga-Pililla, Rizal evacuated after the water level of the river swiftly rose, causing some of them to recall the trauma caused by previous storms.

In Mariz Umali’s 24 Oras report on Wednesday, the residents alongside the Pililla River evacuated as continuous heavy rainfall brought by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine caused its waters to rise to critical level at almost 15 meters.

During Severe Tropical Storm Enteng in September, residents of Barangay Hulo, Pililia, Rizal found difficulty with their evacuation as the flood reached up to the roof or beyond average human height.

Barangay workers urged residents alongside the river to evacuate as strong currents were seen in Sitio Tabaco Lipat-Lipat River due to continuous rainfall.

“Masyado pong mahirap pagka aabutin pa po ng gabi kung kailan nandyan na ho yung sakuna o yung bagyo tsaka pa ho lilikas,” said Vonn Kiervie de Leon, Barangay Hulo Pulilia, Rizal Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson.

(It's too difficult if night comes and there is a disaster or typhoon there, and you still have to evacuate.)

Some residents of Barangay Hulo opted to evacuate early while it was still daytime and there was no flood since they encountered a terrifying experience when they were trapped due to the sudden flooding in their area.

“Ayoko na maulit nung nangyari nung Enteng. Buntis ako nun dito ni-rescue kami. Hanggang beywang tubig, nahulog ako sa hagdan. Pag labas sa akin, nahimatay daw ako,” Lorna Basas Cantuba said.

(I don't want to experience again what I went through during Enteng. I was pregnant then when we were rescued. The flood was waist-level and I fell on the stairs. I lost consciousness when they rescued me.)

“Para nga po akong nininerbyos pa pag naaalala ko ‘yun eh. ‘Di ako makatulog kagabi gawa ng ulan yun nga po nagkaroon na ako ng ano parang phobia. Mahirap na nga po tayong mangahas pa uli.” said senior citizen and solo evacuee Raquel Casamayor.

(I feel nervous whenever I remember that. I could not sleep last night due to the rain. I think I obtained a phobia. It’s difficult if we risk our safety again.)

Since the rain stopped and there was no flood, some residents remained in their houses.

“Wala pa pang 20 minutes malaki na po kaagad kasi nung imonitor po namin kanina nasa six meters lang po nung lumakas po ang ulan naging 10 na po kaagad. Pinakiusapan namin sila na baka po pwede hanggat maliwanag pa ay magpunta na sa barangay sa evacuation. Sa dami po ng nire-rescue namin hindi na po namin malaman kung ano ang uumpisahan namin,” said barangay kagawad Alejando Ilocso.

(The waters rose rapidly from six to 10 meters in 20 minutes when the rain became stronger. We asked people to evacuate while it was still daytime. With so many people we were rescuing, we didn’t know where to start.)

Since Kristine is expected to make landfall by Wednesday evening, authorities are closely monitoring the water level of the Pililla River.

Authorities also assured that they had enough supply of food, blankets and floor mats or banig for the evacuees. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News