FLOODED. The town proper of Balanga in Bataan is inundated following days of heavy rain in most of Luzon brought by the enhanced southwest monsoon. (Photo courtesy of Aristotle Gaza)
BALANGA CITY, Bataan -- The Sangguniang Panlalawigan on Sunday afternoon passed a resolution, approved by Governor Albert Garcia, declaring the entire province of Bataan under state of calamity after flash floods, brought about by heavy rains, engulfed many areas.
The floods inundated many portions of both the MacArthur and Roman highways, which rendered them impassable to all types of vehicles. In Samal town, people waded through the flooded roads to get to their destinations.
The villages of Ibaba; Santa Lucia; Daan Bago East and West, San Juan; San Roque; Tabing-Ilog; Sapa; East and West Calaguiman; all in Samal town, were submerged in deep flood waters.
All of the province’s 11 towns and lone city suffered from the onslaught of heavy rainfall caused by typhoon Josie, which was worsened by the southwest monsoon.
Commercial district Plaza Mayor and surrounding villages in Balanga City were also submerged in flood waters.
In Hermosa, six villages were submerged in floods from two feet to more than six feet deep.
Three barangays in Mariveles were flooded up to three feet.
Reports showed that rescue operations were ongoing in Balanga City and the town of Dinalupihan, which were earlier declared under the state of calamity.
Classes in all levels, in both public and private schools, and work in government offices, except those involved in rescue operations, in Bataan were suspended on Monday. (PNA)
