Easterlies flood Southern Palawan

Numerous areas in Sofronio Española, Quezon and Brooke’s Point in the southern portion of Palawan have been flooded due to the non-stop rains brought by the easterlies.

In Sofronio Española, travelers navigating the National Highway faced significant difficulty as muddy floodwaters obstructed the area.

Members of the Disaster Risk Response Team of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 7 rescued the trapped residents of the Barangays Abo Abo, Sitio Kintay and Pulot Shore.

The barangays of Calasaguen, Mambalot, Ipilan, Maasin, Barong-barong at Mainit in Brooke’s Point were also affected by floods.

Mangcayap Bridge in Barangay Ipilan, Brooke’s Point overflowed, prompting the need for hauling equipment to clear the debris along the river. At least 100 families were affected by floods with the rains occurring since Monday.

Despite the isolated rains, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration weather specialist Chenel Dominguez stated on Tuesday that no storms or low-pressure areas have been observed either inside or outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility that could affect the country in the next five days.

“The northeast monsoon is expected to affect Luzon, and the easterlies, or the warm air from the Pacific affects Visayas and Mindanao,” Dominguez added.

Flood advisories are also listed in several rivers and tributaries in Quezon, Rizal, Palawan and Mindoro provinces due to the persistent rainfall.

Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected to affect Quezon, Bicol region, and the areas of Cagayan, Isabela, and Aurora until Friday, 17 January, at noon.