Noveleta, Cavite residents brave chest-deep floods brought by Kristine

The residents of Noveleta, Cavite endured chest-deep, trash-filled floodwaters after the Ylang Ylang River overflowed amid the continuous downpour brought by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine. 

According to Saleema Refran’s report in “24 Oras” on Thursday, forced evacuation was implemented on the residents of 16 barangays near the river. 

A red rainfall warning, which indicates severe flooding, was also issued on Thursday afternoon. 

“Hindi na po kami makapasok sa loob ng bahay. Nilubog na po yung bahay namin, pinasok na po ng tubig,” a resident lamented. 

(We cannot enter our homes because it is already submerged in water.) 

“Grabe yung tubig ngayon, sobrang taas, ang bilis lang nang pagtaas. Sa mga taga-Noveleta, mag-ingat na lang po,” another resident said. 

(The floodwater this time has rapidly risen. To my fellow residents in Noveleta, be careful.) 

Likewise, residents in Ternate, Cavite were also forced to evacuate due to flooding. 

“Kasi tabing-ilog po talaga kami. Kapag high tide po, umaabot po sa hagdanan namin, lalo po ngayon na umuulan,” a resident shared. 

(We live by the river, so the water usually reaches our staircase during high tide, especially now that it’s raining hard.) 

The provincial disaster risk reduction and management office of Cavite said that 500 families have so far evacuated since Wednesday night. 

A state of calamity has also been declared in Cavite. 

Kristine is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Friday afternoon, according to state weather bureau PAGASA. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BM, GMA Integrated News