CITY OF SAN FERNANDO –Habagat hit some 41,408 families or 182,730 individuals as the Southwest monsoon rains submerged in floodwater more than 150 out of 505 barangays in Pampanga.
Based on the report released by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), 151 barangays in one city and thirteen municipalities were flooded with depths ranging from one foot to four feet as of 10 am yesterday (August 17).
According to PDRRM Officer Angie Blanco, despite the flooding in several barangays, rescue operations were not conducted.
“No rescue operations were conducted. For two years the governor along with the vice governor and board members have conducted several briefings, trainings, and seminars on disaster preparedness. Our cabalens are alert and they know what to do during disasters,” said Blanco.
Blanco added the Pampanga Rivers is still in its normal level from Candaba to Masantol as it has two to three meters before its spilling level.
Meanwhile, the PDRMMO recorded one casualty due to drowning. The fatality was identified as Orlando Ranetes, 32 years old from Concepcion village in Lubao town.
Five people also suffered serious injuries from electrocution in San Juan and San Miguel village in Lubao and San Basilio village in Sta. Rita. They were identified as Leonardo Parungao, Charles dela Cruz, Marielle Pantig, Miguel Caling and Renz Laxamana. They are now conscious and under observation.
41 evacuation centers were also activated in the whole province accommodating 1,295 families or 4,862 individuals according to Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Elizabeth Baybayan.
Baybayan said relief operations will soon be conducted in the affected barangays in the whole province.
Meanwhile, damages in agriculture reached P13,040,691.28 while damage on fisheries were recorded at P31,609,303.10.
LIEZEL CAYANAN
