PNP says at least 19 dead in Cagayan Valley flooding

November 14, 2020

At least 19 persons were reported dead and three were missing as parts of Cagayan Valley remained flooded, the  Philippine National Police (PNP) said in its report on Saturday.

The PNP did not give details but late Friday, it said that deaths in Cagayan Valley were 17.

In her Twitter account, Vice President Leni Robredo said; ‘’ was informed by our team that the two choppers already took off from Clark about an hour ago. After prepositioning in Cauayan City (in Isabela), air rescue will already commence.’’

The Philippine Coast Guard said its personnel were loading rubber boats to Tuguegarao, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.

Tuguegarao Mayor Jefferson Soriano told dzMM Teleradyo  said water level remains high. He said they activated 18 evacuation centers, including one in Cagayan State University.

Soriano said they are also watching the COVID-19 situation as active cases shot up to 100 two days ago.

The Cagayan River Basin Flood Forecasting and Warning Center said in its Saturday report that floods persist.

As of 5 am, it said the upper Cagayan River in Echague and Ramon stations, Isabela show ‘’water level above alarm; flooding still persist,’’

At middle Cagayan, which cover Gamu and Tumauni, Isabela, it said ‘’water level above alarm. Flooding  (widespread) still persist.’’

At lower Cagayan, Buntin Station in Tuguegarao reported ‘’ water level above critical; flooding (widespread) still persist.’’At Ninoy Aquino Bridge in Tuao, Cagayan ‘’ water level above alarm; flooding still persist.’’

On Friday, four villagers in sitio Tueg, Bitag Grande barangay in Baggao town in northern Cagayan were buried alive in a landslide, said Cagayan Valley police director Brig, Gen Crizaldo Nieves.

A 43-year-old man drowned in barangay Baculod, Alcala town.

A villager from Angadanan, Isabela --  drowned in barangay Dicanay 1, Jones town, also in Isabela early morning Thursday.

A total of 10 villagers in Runruno, Quezon, Nueva Vizcaya also died from a landslide in the village Thursday morning

A three-year-old boy drowned Thursday afternoon in barangay Villa, Ylanan, Maddela town in Quirino. DMS