Cagayan, Isabela remain flooded; classes suspended

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – Hundreds of residents were displaced in Cagayan and Isabela yesterday as many areas remained flooded amid continuous heavy rains spawned by the northeast monsoon.

The towns of Sta. Ana, Baggao, Lasam, Camalaniugan, Peñablanca, Tuao, Solana, Enrile, Iguig, Amulung, Alcala and Gattaran as well as Tuguegarao City in Cagayan were submerged in floodwaters.

Two houses in Barangay San Vicente in Sta. Ana were buried in a landslide while at least 20 families evacuated their homes.

Governors Manuel Mamba and Junnie Cua of Cagayan and Quirino, respectively, suspended classes in all levels.

In Isabela, classes from preschool to senior high school were suspended in Sto. Tomas, Tumauini, Cabagan and Sta. Maria and in all levels in Cauayan and Echague.

The towns of Ramon, San Mateo, Cabatuan, San Manuel, Aurora, Roxas, Mallig, Santa Maria, San Pablo, Naguilian, Reina Mercedes, Gamu, Luna, Burgos, Tumauini, Cabagan and Echague as well as the cities of Santiago, Cauayan and Ilagan remained flooded.

The Office of Civil Defense said two roads and 13 bridges in Cagayan and Isabela remain impassable to motorists.

Meanwhile, the water level in Magat Dam reached its critical level due to continuous rains since last week.

As of 2 p.m. yesterday, the water level was at 190.45 meters, only two meters short of its spilling level.