Heavy rains cause floods in Southern Luzon; 2 deaths reported in Catanduanes

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Philippines—Continuous heavy rains caused knee- to waist-deep flooding and the suspension of classes Friday in most provinces in Southern Luzon, including the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Bicol and Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) regions.

Disaster mitigation officials confirmed two deaths due to drowning in two towns in Catanduanes in Bicol since t Monday when incessant rains started to pound most provinces in the three regions.

In Calamba City, Laguna, floodwaters rose to knee level in Barangay (village) Lawa around 6 a.m., said Fred Bragas, information officer of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in Calabarzon. He said fallen banana trunks clogged the drainage system in the village.

In Cavite, the municipal government of Bacoor suspended afternoon classes at the elementary and high school levels.

In Bicol, Office of Civil Defense head Raffy Alejandro said afternoon classes were recommended suspended in all levels in Albay, Catanduanes and Sorsogon due to the heavy rains.

In Catanduanes, Isidro Reyes, 41, was swept away by a swollen river in Barangay Antipolo del Norte in the capital town of Virac shortly before noon Wednesday. His body was retrieved the following day.

On Monday, Aljio Villanueva, 74, of Barangay Poblacion in Panganiban town, was on his way to his  coconut farm at Sitio (settlement) Loran in Barangay Quigaray, Panay island, on a small boat at 5 a.m. when he was carried away by a strong current and drowned. His body was later found on the seashore of Barangay Antipolo, Bagamanoc town in Catanduanes, officials said.

Catanduanes Governor Joseph Cua ordered the suspension of classes in public elementary and high schools due to continuous heavy rains experienced since Thursday night.

In Oriental Mindoro, classes were suspended at all levels in Calapan City with six barangays experiencing knee-deep flooding since 5:30 a.m. Friday, said Jen Rivera, operations officer of the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council in Mimaropa.

Calapan City Mayor Paulino Leachon suspended classes in all levels and work in offices in the city due to heavy rains and rising floodwaters.

Local authorities also kept a close watch on the Bucayao River and prepared classrooms at the Divine Word College for the possible evacuation of affected.

The other towns in Oriental Mindoro where there was flooding included Naujan (seven barangays); Bansud (three); and Mansalay (six).

In Baco town, floodwaters rose to waist level in Barangay Alag and a landslide left a road impassable in Barangay Sta. Cruz.

In Romblon, roads and rice fields in Barangay Tampayan in Magdiwang town were submerged in knee-deep water. The flood subsided at around 3 p.m.—With reports from Madonna T. Virola and Maricar Cinco, Inquirer Southern Luzon