LUNA, Apayao – Some low lying barangays from the Municipalities of Pudtol, Luna, Sta. Marcela and Flora are already underwater due to the non-stop pour out of rain in the Province of Apayao caused by enhanced Northeast Monsoon (Amihan).
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (PDRRM) Council is currently under blue alert status and already forewarned the people to be watchful as the province has continuously experiencing intermittent light to moderate rains since January 18, 2017.
According to the PDRRM Office, the barangays which are particularly affected include portions of Dagupan and San Franciso in Luna, San Mariano and San Jose in Pudtol, Barocboc in Sta. Marcela and Anninipan in Flora, Apayao.
The PDRRM Council has also recommended the suspension of infrastructure projects in the Province due to rains in the past two weeks.
Although all major roads and bridges are passable as of the writing of this news, river basin and creeks are still rising which caused fear to concerned officials and citizens.
The rain has affected the farmers’ rice fields as well as the regular works of the people. Some public teachers in Pudtol were even stranded for a while due to the rising water in their way from San Francisco to San Jose.
According to Pan Pacific Renewal Power Philippines Corporation monitoring equipment, the water level in Pudtol has now reached 519.83 cm as of February 2, 2017.
The PDRRMO is closely monitoring all the MDRRM Offices for any untoward incidents in the province and has prepositioned its personnel and equipment for possible rescue and/or assistance.
BY GERRIAHZON S. SEBASTIAN
