Still reeling from Typhoon Marce, Tuguegarao residents now brace for Nika

The residents of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan have yet to recover from the blow of Typhoon Marce but are now bracing for the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Nika.

According to the report of GMA Regional TV’s Jasmin Gabriel-Galban in 24 Oras on Monday, authorities are closely monitoring the water at Cagayan River as it reached its alarm level following the non-stop downpour earlier in the day.

It’s been three days since they went back to their home, but Encarnacion Baggayan and her family are already saving their possessions from possible flooding.

“Kapag alam na namin na hanggang dito na yung tubig alsa balutan na kami,” she said.

(If we know that the flood water is already high, we have to pack our things up.)

Authorities are also monitoring the Pinacanaoan River because once the water overspilled, the Pinacanaoan Bridge will be closed to motorists.

Further, residents in Barangay Gosi Sur and Gosi Norte have already evacuated.

The local government is also closely looking at the situation in the 11 barangays in Tuguegarao City which are catch basin of water coming from Apayao, Ifugao, and Isabela.

“Natatakot lang ako sa tinatawag na typhoon fatigue, na baka ang mga tao, kaka-ready, mapagod na, biglang mag-relax,” said Mayor Maila Ting-Que.

(I’m worried about the so-called typhoon fatigue, because the people might suddenly relax after repeatedly repairing in the past storms.)

Residents in Enrile, Tuao, Solana, Rizal, and Piat were also told to stay vigilant amid Nica.

There were also five towns in Cagayan who also lost power because of the storm.
—Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News