Tuguegarao still flooded as Cagayan River swells

YET TO RECEDE This photo taken on Tuesday shows many areas in Tuguegarao City, the provincial capital of Cagayan, still submerged in floodwaters caused by the swelling of Cagayan River and its tributaries, two days after Super Typhoon Pepito (international name: Man-yi) left the country. —Cagayan Provincial Information Office Facebook photo

TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN, Philippines — While most areas hit by Super Typhoon Pepito (international name: Man-yi) have began their cleanup and recovery process after the weather disturbance left the country early on Monday, this city had to deal with a post-storm massive flood caused by swollen rivers that submerged 30 of its 49 villages.

As of Tuesday, the number of affected residents in Cagayan province reached 15,778 families or 47,879 people, as Pepito’s heavy rainfall caused the Cagayan River, and its tributary, the Pinacanauan River, to swell, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said.

Hardest hit was Tuguegarao City, affecting 11,360 families (32,865 people).

Magat Dam in Isabela has slowed its water releases on Tuesday, shutting off two other spill gates and maintaining only three gates with 1,343-cubic meters per second inflow and 2,171-cubic meters per second outflow.

READ: Pepito injures 2 persons, affects over 852,000 across PH so far – NDRRMC

Cagayan River’s basin measurement system along Buntun Bridge, which connects Tuguegarao and Solana town in Cagayan, on Tuesday reached 11.5 meters, causing waterways to swell and affecting the towns of Alcala, Amulung, Baggao, Camalaniugan, Enrile, Lal-lo, Solana and Sta. Ana.

About 1,595 families, or 5,533 people, from these areas were brought to shelters, the PDRRMO reported.

Cagayan has yet to recover from the effect of Typhoon “Ofel” (Usagi), which hit Luzon days before Pepito, leaving the province with P1.97 million in livestock losses, the Provincial Veterinary Office said.

The provincial government has yet to completely assess the damage caused by the two typhoons in Cagayan, officials said. —Villamor Visaya Jr.