NONSTOP RAIN. Riders deal with the continuous downpour along EDSA, Quezon City in the Kamuning and Cubao areas on Wednesday evening (Sept. 4, 2024). The state weather bureau said the southwest monsoon will continue to bring moderate to heavy rains in the next two days. (PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)
MANILA – The trough of Typhoon Yagi (formerly severe tropical storm Enteng) and the southwest monsoon or "habagat" continue to dampen areas across Luzon, causing the La Mesa Dam to overflow, the weather bureau said Thursday.
In an advisory issued at 7 a.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the dam's water level reached 80.17 meters, which is still above its spilling level of 80.15 meters.
Average basin rainfall for the next 12 hours is light to moderate.
Areas along the Tullahan River may be affected.
PAGASA advised people living near the riverbanks and low-lying areas to take appropriate actions.
Meanwhile, Yagi's trough will bring scattered rains and thunderstorms in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur.
The southwest monsoon will bring rains in Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro, Metro Manila, La Union, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Laguna, Oriental Mindoro, Northern Palawan and the rest of Central Luzon.
Scattered rains and thunderstorms in Marinduque and Romblon are expected.
The rest of the country will experience isolated rain showers caused by localized thunderstorms.
PAGASA said the western section of Luzon will experience strong winds and rough seas, while the rest of the island will have moderate to strong winds and moderate to rough seas.
Over 1.6M individuals affected
In its update on Thursday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said some 410,371 families or 1,610,322 persons were affected by these weather disturbances.
These individuals are residing in 1,279 barangays in Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and the National Capital Region.
Of these, 8,842 families or 36,399 persons are being aided in 297 evacuation centers while 5,005 families or 14,648 individuals are being helped outside.
As of this time, the number of reported fatalities are placed at 13, along with 11 injured and 15 missing persons.
The fatalities include seven in Calabarzon, three in Bicol, two in Central Visayas and one in Western Visayas.
These casualty reports are still undergoing validation as of this time.
Meanwhile, some 651 houses were damaged in seven regions.
Infra damage nears P140M
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) estimated that the cost of damage to national roads, bridges, and flood control structures has reached PHP139.56 million.
Based on the report of the DPWH Bureau of Maintenance as of noon Thursday, Secretary Manuel Bonoan said this includes PHP84.39 million damage to roads, PHP12.420 million on bridges, and PHP42.75 million on flood control structures.
The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) topped the list with PHP49.43 million worth of damage to infrastructure followed by Bicol with PHP34.85 million; Western Visayas, PHP25.78 million; Eastern Visayas, PHP23.65 million and Cagayan Valley, PHP9.85 million.
Meanwhile, DPWH Disaster and Incident Management Teams have reported the reopening of 11 road sections that were affected by Enteng.
However, four roads in CAR and Central Luzon still have limited access due to various reasons.
These are the Itogon-Dalupirip Road, Barangay Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet, (only one lane passable to light vehicles only due to soil collapse); Benguet-Nueva Vizcaya Road,
Barangay Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet, (only one lane passable to heavy vehicles only due to rock/slope collapse).
The Dantay-Sagada Road in Barangay Antadao, Sagada, Mt. Province is only passable to light vehicles due to road slip; and Manila North Road, Calvario, Marilao, Bulacan is passable to heavy vehicles only due to floods.
Brace for the worst
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., meanwhile, urged the public to prepare for more weather disturbances due to the La Niña phenomenon.
The DILG chief made the reminder as he led the distribution of food packs and other relief items to victims of Tropical Storm Enteng in Naga City, Camarines Sur on Wednesday, the agency said in a news release Thursday.
“Let’s anticipate the worst kasi ang sabi ng (because according to) PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration), isa hanggang dalawa o baka umabot pa ng tatlong bagyo ang darating sa bansa sa bawat buwan bago matapos ang taon (we have one to two or even three typhoons per month before the year ends),” Abalos said.
He then urged the public to be vigilant and evacuate to safer grounds, if needed.
The Bicol region was among the hardest-hit areas by ‘Enteng’. (with Priam Nepomuceno, Lloyd Caliwan and Ferdinand Patinio/PNA)
