Danger with onslaught of heavy rain, landslides, floods

EDITORIAL

Incessant heavy monsoon rains have taken its toll on Cordillera, as the region's Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported 22 incidents of landslide and mudslide, and five incidents of collapse of mountain ripraps across the highland region the past few days.

              Disaster officials have urged the public to be vigilant, as massive landslides are highly possible with the mountains' soil getting too soaked up.

             The Office of the Civil Defense- Cordillera, which serves as the region's DRRMC secretariat said rain that fell on Baguio has exceeded its threshold even as Cordillera provinces have been experiencing continuous rains to this day.

             DRRMC reports said the Cordillera experienced landslides, mudslides, and riprap collapse with Baguio having nine incidents; Benguet, eight; Abra, six; Mountain Province, two and Kalinga, two.

            The synoptic station of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in Baguio recorded 275.6 mm. of rainfall in the city, exceeding the summer capital's 24-hour rainfall threshold of 150 mm.

            A Philippine News Agency report said heavy downpour had exceeded Baguio’s rainfall threshold starting Aug.12, when PAGASA recorded 249.2 mm. of rainfall for 24 hours.

           PAGASA-Baguio weather observer Efren Dalipog said the amount of rainfall in Baguio alone poses a high risk of landslide and flooding.

            Meanwhile, the Dept. of Agriculture in Cordillera has initially pegged crop damage at P2.88 million, aside from five totally damaged and 22 partially damaged houses.

            The DRRMC said small-scale mining activities in Itogon, Benguet are still temporarily suspended due to the inclement weather.

            It has issued a public advisory to heed all safety instructions and to have pre-emptive evacuation as a precautionary measure against flooding and landslides.

            In case of evacuation, the people could seek refuge in public schools and other local government evacuation centers.

            Meanwhile, in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon Regions, floods have not abated and affected folks had to relocate to higher grounds.

            Taxpayers are now questioning the capability of government officials in dealing with calamities and often getting lame answers.   

          Typhoons, landslides, floods among other disasters are a daily occurrence in this county and preparedness by government in addressing these has still a long way to go, according to observers.