FLOODED. Low-lying areas such as this in Bacsay, Luna, Apayao were flooded on Dec. 21, 2022. The Northeast Monsoon continues to bring rains in this part of Luzon. (Photo courtesy of Bernie Gamiao)
LAOAG CITY – Several low-lying areas in parts of Cagayan and Apayao provinces were threatened by flooding as a low-pressure area and shear line continued to bring light to moderate rains on Thursday.
Because of this, residents in these areas were advised to take precautionary measures.
"Residents along mountain slopes are advised for possible landslides, mudslides, and flash floods. Please monitor the weather and evacuate if needed,” said Jeffrey Borromeo, head of the Apayao Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
As of this posting, the Poblacion to Kabugawan road is not passable due to soil collapse in Barangay Ninoy, Calanasan town.
Several motorists passing through the San Gregorio-Bacsay Road in Luna town were stranded for hours due to flood waters reaching knee to waist-deep.
Based on the latest weather advisory, the northeast monsoon or "amihan" will continue to bring light to occasionally moderate rains in the northern portions of Cagayan affecting its nearby areas of Apayao as well as the northernmost parts of Pagudpud and Adams in Ilocos Norte.
Even with the current weather condition, the maintenance crew of the Department of Public Works and Highways is on standby along the landslide portion of the Manila North Road in Sitio Banquero, Barangay Pancian, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte for the conduct of immediate clearing operations in case of landslide or rock fall.
“So far, two lanes are passable to all types of vehicles without window hours,” according to a road advisory of the DPWH Region 1.
The agency also advised commuters to be extra careful when traversing the affected road section which has been in on and off-to-road closure to give way to road clearing operations. (PNA)
