The Philippine Online Chronicles

More than one million people are affected by persistent flooding in Bulacan, Pampanga provinces in Central Luzon as major dams continue to release water.

The towns of Calumpit, Hagonoy, Lubao, Pulilan, San Juan, San Jose, Pulilan, Sta. Lucia, Baliuag, Bulusan, Paombong and Gatbuca in Bulacan are submerged in waist to chest deep flood waters while waters swelled in towns of Candaba, Capalanga, Masantol and San Simon in Pampanga. Parts of Nueva Ecija are also flooded. (View a Google map of the flooded areas).

The heavy flooding started last Thursday when six dams in Central and Northern Luzon opened flood gates to release water accumulated during the onslaught of Typhoon Pedring (international name Nesat). Dam operators of Ipo and Angat dams in Norzagaray, Bulacan and Pantabagan dam in Nueva Ecija opened the spill valves to gradually release water. Ambuklao dam in Benguet, Magat dam in Isabela and San Roque dam in Pangasinan also opened their flood gates as the water levels have reached their spilling levels.

According to the National Disaster Risk Management and Coordinating Council (NDRRMC), opening the floodgates of the country’s major dams in Luzon is necessary to prevent the collapse of these huge water facilities. NDRRMC Director Benitor Ramos said the entire province of Nueva Ecija, Arayat, Pampanga and parts of Bulacan will be under water if the Pantabangan Dam collapses.

Authorities warned that floodings in the said areas will to continue for several days as Typhoon Quiel (international name Nalgae) made its landfall in Isabela this morning.

Local government units (LGUs) in affected areas are conducting continuous rescue operations to retrieve residents trapped on the roofs of their flooded houses. Additional search and rescue units from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, including six helicopters were deployed in flooded areas in Central Luzon.

Typhoon victims are appealing for relief goods such as clean drinking water, food, dry clothes and medicine.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it already distributed relief assistance worth P35.3 million to families affected by “Pedring.” These came from the combined resources of the DSWD with P14.9 million, concerned LGUs with P17.8million, and non-governmental organizations and other government agencies with P2.6 million.

The National Food Authority released 10,425 bags of rice to LGUs in Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Bulacan, Tarlac, Bataan, Isabela for relief operations.

As of October 1, Pedring's death toll has reached 50, while 31 people remain missing. Pedring has affected 485, 311 families with 2.28 million individuals. More than 38,000 families or 180,000 people are still in evacuation centers, according to NDRRMC.

Quiel stronger, faster than Pedring

Typhoon Quiel made its landfall in Dumantigue, Isabela at around 9:00 a.m. this morning. According to PAGASA's latest weather bulletin, Quiel has maximum sustained winds of 160 kph near the center and gust winds of up to 195 kph. Northern and Central Luzon will experience moderate to heavy rains. The typhoon has a diameter of 500 kilometers, affecting most of Luzon. Weather analysts said Quiel will bring stronger winds than Pedring. But its rainfall level is almost the same as the previous typhoon.

PAGASA raised public storm warning signals in areas along Quiel's path. Signal No. 1 is hoisted over Metro Manila, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Rizal, Bataan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Lubang, Babuyan, Calayan; signal no. 2 in Cagayan, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, Abra, Kalinga, Rest of Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pampanga, Zambales, Bulacan, Northern Quezon and signal no. 3 in Isabela, Northern Aurora, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Benguet, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan.

PAGASA warned the public against possible landslides, flashfloods, floods, tornadoes, strong winds and storm surges. Quiel is expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility tomorrow evening.