TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines- Residents in Cagayan Valley region were warned of possible flashfloods and landslides due to continuous releases of water of Magat Dam.
In its 5 pm flood bulletin on Sunday, October 16, the state weather bureau PAGASA-North Luzon said possible flashfloods are threatening dozens of low-lying areas in Isabela and Cagayan in the next 8-12 hours
PAGASA advised local disaster agencies to take precautionary actions in alerting residents of affected areas.
As of 7 pm, Magat Dam’s 7 spillway gates were opened at 13 meters high. The water level is 189.81 meters and the outflow is 2,638 cubic meters per second.
PAGASA said the continuous rise in the upper, middle, and lower Cagayan River and its tributaries is threatening 16 towns in Isabela province and and 13 towns in Cagayan provinces.
In Tuguegarao City, the Pinacanauan Overflow Bridge and Teresa Boulevard are already unpassable, according to the city disaster agency.
Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba already suspended the classes in all levels in the province due to threats of flooding.
Cagayan disaster risk reduction management chief Bonifacio Cuarteros said they are “recommending the suspension of classes in all levels due to expected flooding in low lying areas and because our overflow bridges Tawi, Abusag, Bagunut, Maguiling Piat and Tuguegarao Pinacanauan for the safety of our students crossing these areas.”
The province is considered a catch basin, receiving large amounts of rainfall from the provinces of Isabela, Kalinga, Apayao, and Mountain Province.
Several bridges were also closed in Isabela province due to swollen river:
These bridges are (as of 8:00 PM):
1. Pigalo Bridge in Angadanan town
2. Baculud Overflow Bridge in Ilagan City
3. Masaya Sur Overflow Bridge in San Agustin town
4. Santo Tomas Overflow Bridge in Santo Tomas town
5. Gucab-Annafunan Overflow Bridge in Echague town
6. Alicacao Bridge in Cauayan City
7.Santa Maria Overflow Bridge in Santa Maria town
8. Cabisera 8 in Ilagan City
9. Turod-Banquero Bridge in Reina Mercedes town
TNF/Rappler.com
