Floodwaters threaten to submerge more houses

MANILA, Philippines—Floodwaters threaten to submerge whole houses in the already inundated villages of Pampanga and Bulacan, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council said Saturday.

Roof-level floods spawned by Typhoon Pedring (international name Nesat) would rise further due to heavy downpours brought by typhoon Quiel (international name Nalgae), NDRRMC executive director Benito Ramos said.

Ramos said that in about eight hours, floodwaters from Caraballo and Sierra Madre would go to Nueva Ecija, then Candaba and finally to Bulacan, where floodwaters were already roof-level high.

He said that the floods had yet to subside in areas, including Minalin, Lubao to Sasmuan in Pampanga and Hagono, Calumpit and Paombong in Bulacan.

The span of time before waters could subside would depend on whether it is low or high tide, he said.

Ramos said that many residents remained in their homes even after he ordered a “persuasive evacuation” on Friday.

He said those rescued were brought to Malolos in Bulacan. Rescue operations will resume tomorrow, he added.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development, local government units and non-government organizations have released about P50 million in humanitarian aid, the NDRRMC said.

Typhoon Quiel has one recorded fatality as of posting time.