Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 20) — Almost 1,600 residents from 425 families in Cagayan had to flee their homes as heavy rains from the northeast monsoon triggered flooding and prompted authorities to release water from the Magat Dam, according to the provincial governor.
In an interview with CNN Philippines on Sunday, Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba said 1,594 individuals are now in evacuation centers after a number of areas in the province were submerged in floodwater.
“At this point in time, may mga lubog na areas kami in eight towns of our province, and most of these nasa Tuguegarao City,” he said.
[Translation: At this point in time, we have submerged areas in eight towns of our province, and most of these are in Tuguegarao City.]
The province logged no fatalities due to the flooding, the governor added.
The Magat River Integrated Irrigation System Dam and Reservoir Division began releasing water from its dam at 5 a.m. on Saturday in anticipation of the heavy rains due to “the surge of the northeast monsoon” affecting areas in Luzon. Mamba said they were notified beforehand of the planned water discharge.
As of 5 p.m. on Sunday, the Cagayan Provincial Information Office said five spillway gates of the Magat Dam are open, with the reservoir water level at 191.36 meters. Meanwhile, it also warned residents to remain vigilant as the water level at Buntun River is at critical level at 11.62 meters and “continues to rise.”
