Pangasinan flood waters rise; victims rescued

RESCUE OPERATIONS. Personnel of the Pangasinan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office conduct rescue operations on Sunday (July 30, 2023) as floodwaters continue to rise in some areas of Pangasinan in the aftermath of Egay. The typhoon enhanced the southwest monsoon, which continued to bring rains, causing over PHP103 million in damage to agriculture and infrastructure. (Photo courtesy of Pangasinan PDRRMO)

By Gabriel L. Cardinoza

CALASIAO, Pangasinan -- As the skies began to clear on July 30, disaster response teams deployed rubber boats and trucks to severely flooded areas here and neighboring Dagupan City in a race against time to evacuate residents.
    In a social media post, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said flood waters from the overflowing Sinocalan River traversing this town and Dagupan City continued to rise.
    The river overflowed because of torrential rains dumped by Typhoon "Egay" in the last few days.
    As of 5 a.m. on July 30, the flooded villages of this town were Mancup, Longos, Lasip, Songkoy, Lumbang, Banaoang,     Talibaew, Buenlag, Dinalaoan, San Vicente, Poblacion East, Poblacion West, Nalasian and Quesban.
    No data was immediately available on the number of persons in evacuation centers here.
Mayor Kevin Roy Macanlalay said as a result of the rising flood waters, at least nine sections of roads were not passable to light vehicles.
    These roads are in the villages of Longos, Songkoy, Mancup, Lasip, Lumbang, Talibaew, Buenlag and San Vicente.
    On Friday, July 28, the town's Sangguniang Bayan (Municipal Council) passed a resolution placing the town under a state of calamity.

In Dagupan City, Mayor Belen Fernandez canceled classes in all levels and work in all government agencies on Monday, July 31.