Cyclones up this month;Luzon residents warned

One or two tropical cyclones are expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility this month, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

PAGASA said the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon and the Visayas will have rough to very rough seas.

“Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves,” it said.

Meanwhile, at least 15 towns in Cagayan Valley have again been warned of possible floods in the wake of continuous rains.

This, after Cagayan Valley’s major rivers such as the Cagayan, Magat and Pinacanauan rivers were reportedly starting to swell due to the rainfall hitting the region, including watersheds and mountainous areas, since last week.

The downpour also brought the Magat Dam along the Isabela-Ifugao border to its critical water level, prompting authorities to continue releasing water from its reservoir, which residents fear could aggravate the flooding.

The Office of Civil Defense in the region warned residents along riverbanks and mountain slopes of possible flash floods and landslides due to the prolonged rains, causing some river tributaries to overflow as well as weaken the stability of soil.

Among the municipalities alerted for possible flooding were Alcala, Gattaran, Solana, Iguig, Amulung, Lallo, Aparri, Lasam, Enrile and Camalaniugan in Cagayan as well as Tuguegarao City, the capital.

The Isabela towns of San Pablo, Tumauini, Santa Maria, Cabagan and Ilagan and Cauayan City are also bracing for floods due to the rains, attributed to the low pressure area along the country’s northern part. – With Charlie Lagasca, Raymund Catindig