2,000 families in Isabela evacuate as floods persist due to Kristine

The Ganano River in Alicia, Isabela on Oct. 23 and Oct. 24. PHOTO COURTESY OF KURT DELA PEÑA/INQUIRER.net

CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela — At least 2,000 families, or about 5,000 individuals, in Isabela evacuated due to flooding caused by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami) on Thursday, October 24.

According to data from the provincial disaster risk reduction and management office, about 550 families, or 1,600 individuals, sought refuge in evacuation centers in Ilagan City while 1,312 families, or over 4,300 individuals, evacuated from the coastal municipalities of Divilacan, Dinapigue, Maconacon, and Palanan.

“The [storm] and floods have once again destroyed our farms, meaning another loss of livelihood,” said Edmundo Agbayani, a 40-year-old farmer.

Marcelo Aguinaldo, 70, said he was worried about falling deeper into debt as his rice field was damaged.

In Divilacan, minor damage was reported, mostly fallen trees and poles. Assessment of crop damage was underway as of Thursday.

Several bridges were also submerged due to flooding, including the Gucab and Annafunan bridges in Echague; Baculud, Cabiseria 8, and Bangag bridges in Ilagan City; Alicaocao bridge in Cauayan City; and the Santa Maria-Cabagan and Santo Tomas-Cabagan bridges.

Meanwhile, operators of Magat Dam reduced the water release. They only opened one gate at a three-meter-high elevation, discharging 329 cubic meters per second. The dam’s water level stood at 184.58 meters above sea level.

Lawyer Constante Foronda, Isabela’s provincial disaster risk reduction officer, said the Northern Sierra Madre mountains helped mitigate the storm’s impact.

In Tabuk City, Kalinga, Mayor Darwin Estranero suspended classes and government work, except for disaster and health personnel. A total of 171 families, or 504 individuals, were transferred to evacuation centers in the city.