Ulysses forces 2,500 families in Isabela province to flee homes

Low-lying areas in City of Ilagan are submerged in floodwater on Thursday due to heavy rains dumped by Typhoon “Ulysses.” (Photo by Villamor Visaya Jr.)

CITY OF ILAGAN –– At least 2,500 residents in Isabela province were evacuated on Thursday at the height of Typhoon Ulysses that triggered widespread flooding in low-lying villages, officials said.

City information officer Paul Bacungan said most of the displaced families reside in vulnerable areas in this city, where floodwater isolated 10 villages in the forest area.

“Relief goods were prepositioned, while disaster rescue teams were dispatched to each area,” Bacungan told the Inquirer.

The other displaced families were from the towns of Maconacon, Palanan, Dinapigue, Quezon, San Guillermo, Echague, and Jones, said Jimmy Rivera, Isabela disaster risk-reduction and management office chief.

LZB