Massive floods submerge 84 Pampanga villages

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Heavy flooding has submerged at least 84 barangays (villages) across Pampanga province due to the combined effects of typhoon “Crising” and the southwest monsoon, according to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).

The worst-hit areas include Masantol (26 barangays), Macabebe (16), Minalin (13), Sasmuan (10), and San Fernando City (11). Floods also submerged two villages each in Apalit, Candaba and Sta. Rita, and one each in San Simon and Mexico, according to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda personally visited affected areas in Macabebe and Masantol on Sunday, delivering thousands of family food packs provided by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian.

A total of 28,945 food packs — 20,418 for Masantol and 8,527 for Macabebe — were distributed, each containing six kilos of rice, canned goods, coffee and a cereal drink. The distribution prioritized residents in Macabebe and Masantol, which suffered the most extensive flooding.

“There’s no Sunday when there’s a typhoon,” stated Governor Pineda. “Our priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of our constituents. We will continue to provide all necessary relief support until the situation improves.”

The relief operation also included participation from DSWD 3 Director Venus Rebuldela, PSWDO Officer Fe Manarang, PDRRMO Chief Janica Yambao and other provincial officials.

The PDRRMO continues to monitor the situation and coordinate with local DRRMOs to ensure resident safety, with disaster response equipment and personnel on standby.

Meanwhile, the Pampanga River Basin Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (PRFFWC) issued a critical alert Monday as relentless monsoon rains, enhanced by typhoon “Crising,” pushed sections of the river system toward dangerous thresholds.

As of 6 a.m. on 21 July, the PRFFWC reported Arayat Station’s water level at 6.76 meters, surpassing its 6.00-meter Alarm threshold and threatening low-lying areas in Cabiao, San Simon and San Luis. The Candaba Swamp swelled to 4.67 meters, exceeding its alarm level, with forecasts predicting it will hit the critical 5.00-meter mark by afternoon.

Landslide probe

A landslide in Hacienda Dolores, Porac is also under investigation to assess damages and potential injuries. The PDRRMO added that continuous monitoring and coordination are being conducted with local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices to ensure the safety of the residents.

The Department of Health Central Luzon Health Development Center, meantime, has issued an urgent health advisory against leptospirosis as tropical depression Crising’s torrential rains submerged vast areas of the region, creating conditions ripe for the spread of the deadly bacterial infection.