Riverbanks dwellers in Lucena alerted for floods, evacuations

LUCENA CITY –– The city disaster management office alerted residents along the banks of Iyam River here of possible evacuation due to the water body’s swelling caused by continuous heavy rains Friday morning.

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO), reported around 8 a.m. that the river spillway located in Barangay 5 had been flooded and unpassable to vehicles.

“Paalaala sa mga mabababang lugar na binabaha lalo na ang mga nasa baybayin ng ilog na maging handa at alisto,” the DRRMO said on its Facebook.

(We remind those living in low-lying areas prone to floods, especially those near the riverbank, to be prepared and alert.)

The DRRMMO posted a photo of the flooded spillway taken by village councilor Mcram Rago.

On Oct. 8 and 9, heavy rains caused Iyam and Dumacaa river in another part of the city to overflow, resulting in two successive flash floods that prompted the evacuation of more than 500 families living along the side of the rivers.

Houses along the riverbanks were inundated with mud and water, which cascaded from Mount Banahaw where the rivers originate.

LZB