‘Crising,’ habagat leave P526-M damage

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported Monday that severe tropical storm “Crising” (Wipha) and the enhanced southwest monsoon or habagat caused an estimated P526.81 million in infrastructure damage, mostly in Northern Luzon, Western Visayas and the Negros Region.

Of the total, P322.25 million was damage to flood control structures, P195.52 million to national roads, and P9.04 million to bridges.

As of Monday morning, four road sections remained impassable due to high water elevation, road damage, soil collapse and landslides. These were the Calanasan-Ilocos Norte Road and Claveria-Calanasan-Kabugao Road in Apayao; Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet; and the Liloy-Siocon Road in Zamboanga del Norte.

Three other road sections had limited access: Bigaas-Plaridel Bulacan and Malolos Road in Balagtas, Bulacan due to flooding; Bato Bridge in Palauig, Zambales as a precautionary measure; and Diokno Highway in Batangas due to road slip.

The DPWH said 12 national road sections previously closed due to “Crising” and the habagat have been reopened.

3 Luzon dams release water

Three dams in Luzon opened their gates on Monday morning to release water following the heavy rains from the southwest monsoon enhanced by “Crising,” which is now outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

Binga Dam in Benguet opened six gates with a discharge of 508.31 cubic meters per second (cms). Its reservoir level reached 574.21 meters.

Ambuklao Dam, also in Benguet, opened four gates, releasing 311.77 cms. Its water level was close to the 752-meter spilling mark at 751.28 meters. Ipo Dam in Bulacan opened one gate, discharging 65.7 cms.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued a yellow rainfall warning over Metro Manila, Bataan, Cavite, parts of Zambales and Batangas. Light to moderate rains with heavy bursts are also expected in Nueva Ecija, Quezon, Tarlac, Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna and Pampanga.

Though Crising has exited the PAR, the enhanced monsoon will continue to bring rains to Luzon and the Visayas until Thursday.

DoH, DSWD provide assistance

Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DoH) has assisted 29,814 evacuees across nine regions hit by Crising and the habagat.

Affected areas include the Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western and Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

To prevent disease outbreaks in crowded shelters, the DoH reminded evacuees to practice proper hygiene by washing hands regularly, using alcohol when needed, and avoid sharing personal items.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) remained on red alert as the heavy rains continued.

As of Monday, 346 evacuation centers across 14 regions were sheltering 7,509 families or 26,181 individuals. The DSWD has distributed over P45 million worth of food and non-food aid and provided hot meals and ready-to-eat food packs to stranded passengers at seaports in Camarines Sur, Albay and Iloilo.

Low pressure area monitored

PAGASA is monitoring a new low pressure area (LPA) inside the Philippine area of responsibility located 950 km east-northeast of Eastern Visayas as of 10 a.m. Monday.

The LPA has a medium chance of developing into a tropical depression within 24 hours. If it strengthens, it will be named “Dante.”

Heavy rains are expected by Wednesday noon over Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Pangasinan, Tarlac and Occidental Mindoro. Rainfall may be heavier in elevated areas.

PAGASA earlier projected two to three tropical cyclones to form or enter the PAR this month.