11 families evacuated; Cordillera roads closed

BAGUIO CITY – Eleven families of this summer capital were evacuated while several roads here and Cordillera provinces were closed due to monsoon rains as rainfall accumulation reached 310.6 mm.
            The Baguio City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reported from August 4 to 14, there were 39 individuals rescued and assisted due to fainting, accidental road slip, fallen into a manhole, mauling and others in emergency health situation.
             The CDRRMO reported the 11 families composed of 33 individuals were evacuated from their homes due to soil erosion including trees about to fall over affecting their houses.
Some 15 motor and vehicular accidents also happened, 16 trees fallen due to strong winds and rains with branches affecting utility lines, 12 incidences of soil erosion affecting properties and two incidences of fallen streetlights.

The CDRRMO also advised motorists to avoid Kennon Road as it remained closed.
Other roads in the city were closed last week: Governor Pack Road near BGH Rotunda due to scoured and hanging footing of arc and the Longlong Road due to landslide.
The Office of Civil Defense in the Cordillera warned residents on mountain slopes and low-lying areas to evacuate to safer grounds. 

The water level in Ambuklao Dam in Bokod and Binga Dam in Itogon, both in nearby Benguet, rose above its critical level, amid heavy rains.

Eight spillway gates in Ambuklao Dam and six in Binga were opened Wednesday. 

Meanwhile, in Pangasinan, the Agno River Basin Flood Forecasting and Warning Center alerted villagers near mountain slopes, low-lying areas and those along waterways to take precautionary measures against possible landslides and flashfloods.

It said tributaries of the Ambayaoan, Viray-Depalo, Banila and Lower Agno Rivers and streams were likely to be affected.

Ambuklao’s critical level is 753 meters while Binga is at 575.

The Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council advised residents along and near Agno river waterways in Bokod, Buguias and Kabayan to be on full alert.

Classes for preschool to senior high school for private and public schools on August 14 was suspended due to the weather affecting the province.

Weather outlook from Pagasa showed Cordillera region will continue to have cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms due to the Habagat.

Meanwhile, La Trinidad Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council urged public to take alternate routes following a road cut at Ambiong-Lubas-Tawang Road evening of August 13.
In Kapangan, Mayor Manny Fermin said the Gov. Bado Dangwa Road along Gambang Cuba was closed due to landslide which hampering delivery of goods.

The Office of the Civil Defense in the Cordillera meanwhile said tourism activities in Mt, Pulag, Mt. Purgatory in Bokod, Benguet, caving tours in Sagada in Mountain Province, and swimming at Ar-arbis Falls and Lusuac Springs Resort in Lagayan, Abra were suspended. – With a report from Eva Visperas