Floods reported in Bataan, Batangas; landslide in Aurora

MANILA, Philippines – Several villages in Bataan and Batangas were flooded while a landslide occurred in Aurora province Thursday due to heavy rains brought by tropical depression “Dodong,” the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.

NDRRMC Executive Director Benito Ramos said that seven villages in Balanga City in Bataan were under 1.5 meters of flood waters. Two villages in Hermosa town and another village in Dinalupihan, both also in Bataan, were likewise flooded, Ramos added.

In Batangas, Palukan West, East Verde and Tiera Verde subdivisions were also under flood waters, Ramos reported.

Ramos said the landslide reported in Aurora occurred in Barangay (village) Dekadi in Baler town, adding that clearing operations were ongoing.

No casualties were reported to them, the NDRRMC chief said.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila residents have been alerted against possible flooding due to continuous rains brought by Dodong.

Ramos said the Metro Manila Development Authority and the Office of Civil Defense-National Capital Region are closely monitoring the situation.

Ramos also said that none of the dams in Luzon are at critical levels, adding that the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) is also monitoring the water levels in the dams.

Tropical depression Dodong was spotted 60 km southwest of Iba, Zambales, as of Thursday noon with winds of up to 55 kph.

Dodong is expected to move north northwestward at 15 kph.

Signal No. 1 has been raised over Zambales, Pangasinan, Cavite, Bataan, Pampanga, Tarlac and Metro Manila.

Residents in low-lying and mountainous areas in provinces under signal No. 1 are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides, the state-run weather bureau Pagasa said.

This weather disturbance is also expected to enhance the southwest monsoon and bring rains over the western sections of Central and Southern Luzon, Pagasa added.

By Friday morning, Dodong is forecast to be 210 km west of Laoag City and by Saturday morning, 440 km west northwest of Basco, Batanes, Pagasa said.