Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 19) — A total of 11 barangays in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro are now flooded due to heavy rains, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) said Thursday.
‘
MDRRMO head Joery Geroleo told CNN Philippines’ Balitaan that Apitong and Barcenaga were added to the list of submerged barangays, namely Pinagsabangan I and II, Motoderazo, Nagiba I and II Masagana, Santiago, Andres Ilagan, and Buhangin.
‘
Geroleo said local residents are used to flooding since Naujan is a catch basin, where the biggest watershed in Oriental Mindoro is located, but even they were surprised with the volume of water that kept coming.
‘
“Kaya ‘di po namin ‘yung [baha] inaasahan na sa epekto nung shear line at amihan (northeast moonsoon), dinagdagan pa po ng pinalakas na LPA (low pressure area). [Kahit] nawala naman po siya [ulan], sabi ng PAGASA, ay napakaraming tubig ulan ang dumating dito sa aming bayan sa umagang ito,” Geroleo said.
‘
[Translation: That’s why we did not expect the floodwaters due to the shear line and amihan, plus the intensified LPA. Although PAGASA said the rain subsided, a lot of rainwater came into our town this morning.]
‘
Geroleo said floodwaters started rising at around 2:00 a.m.
‘
The Naujan calamity response office also posted alternative routes to avoid the waist-level flooding along the Strong Republic Nautical Highway.
‘
‘ ’26’: ‘contentWidth’: ‘100%’ ’embedCode’: ‘