Floods force evacuations in Zambales

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—Heavy rains caused by the southwest monsoon and enhanced by exiting Typhoon “Butchoy” affected 845 families (2,769 people) in the towns of San Felipe, San Narciso and San Antonio in Zambales, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council here said on Saturday.

The rains forced 60 families (248 people) to evacuate to barangay halls, daycare centers and to the houses of their relatives. Floodwaters rose in Barangay Sto. Niño by at least three feet and San Rafael  by one foot, both in San Felipe; and Barangay Patrocinio by five feet and Beddeng by two feet in San Narciso.

Floods isolated Barangay Santiago in San Antonio. Five families (25 people) were briefly trapped but were eventually rescued.

In Bataan province, seven families (43 people) in Barangay Bayan-bayanan in Dinalupihan town were evacuated due to rising water from a swollen creek.

Floods also affected Barangay Almacen and Culis in Hermosa town.

In Olongapo City, landslides occurred in Skipper Park 1 in Barangay Barreto and Kalaklan. No one was reported hurt.

As of Saturday, roads in Barangay Alusiis in San Narciso and Antipolo in San Antonio in Zambales, and in Barangay San Isidro and Balon Anito in Mariveles, Bataan, were not passable to light vehicles. Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon