In Tuguegarao City, the impact of successive typhoons has led to the evacuation of more than 4,400 families from the Cagayan Region since late September. The initial typhoon, named Julian (internationally known as Krathon), marked the beginning of a series of weather disturbances that have forced residents from their homes.
As of Monday noon, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 2 reported that 4,472 families, totaling 14,648 individuals, remain housed in evacuation centers. Additionally, 1,415 families, or 4,833 people, have found temporary shelter with friends or relatives. The number of evacuees is expected to rise as local authorities continue preemptive evacuations due to increasing river levels and flooding, exacerbated by the opening of six spillway gates at the Magat Dam.
The Tuguegarao City Information Office shared on social media that the opening of these gates resulted in a discharge of 2,356 cubic meters per second, with the gates opened to a total of 11 meters. The reservoir’s water level is currently at 192.29 meters above sea level, nearing the normal high level of 193 meters. The decision to open more spill gates was made in response to the increased inflows caused by Typhoon Pepito (internationally known as Man-yi), which intensified to a super typhoon over the weekend, further swelling the rivers of Northern Luzon.
The Cagayan Valley Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has issued orders for all provincial and local government units in flood-prone areas to conduct preemptive and forced evacuations. This directive comes in response to warnings from the state weather bureau about potential widespread flooding, landslides, and large waves, coupled with the rapid discharge from the Magat Dam.
Residents of Barangay Alibagu in Ilagan City, Isabela, were among those who left their homes early Monday. The flooding, triggered by the series of typhoons, has affected numerous areas including Abulug, Alcala, Allacapan, Aparri, Baggao, Ballesteros, Buguey, Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Sanchez Mira, Claveria, Sta. Teresita, Sta. Praxedes, and Gattaran in Cagayan, as well as Ilagan City, Tumauini, Delfin Albano, Cabagan, Sto. Tomas, Sta. Maria, and San Pablo in Isabela.