Monsoon rains cause flooding in parts of Luzon

Manila: Monsoon rains over the past several days have triggered flooding in some parts of northern and eastern Luzon, prompting residents to seek shelter in evacuation centres, reports said.

The National Disaster Coordinating Centre (NDCC), in a report, said that in Isabela province, at least 6,656 families in the towns of Bernito Soliven, San Mateo, Ilagan and Delfin Albano have been evacuated as part of pre-emptive measures following three days of continuous rains in the area.

Reports by radio station DZXL said at least three people have drowned in the towns of Santa Maria and Ilagan. According to officials, the floods have isolated several areas of Isabela as roads and bridges have been rendered impassable.

The NDCC reported that a landslide occurred in the village of Santa Filomena, fortunately, there were no fatalities. In Isabela's adjacent Aurora province, flood waters inundated at least 18 villages, prompting the evacuation of some 166 families.

The main highway adjoining Aurora to the province of Nueva Ecija had also been rendered unpassable due to high flood waters. Further south in the province of Camarines Sur, heavy rains caused several landslides, particularly in the town of Tinambac. In Albay province, incessant rain caused huge boulders to cascade down Mount Mayon.

A report by the Bombo Radio station from Legaspi City said disaster management authorities have been placed on alert for possible mud slides.

Earlier, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA) warned people living on mountain slopes and low-lying areas to be on the lookout for landslides and flash floods.