Flood warnings were issued over Cagayan and Isabela as the tail-end of a cold front continues to dump rains over the eastern section of Northern Luzon yesterday.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration issued a general flood advisory at 6 a.m. and valid until 6 p.m. yesterday identifying several rivers that would likely be affected by heavy rains.
Floodwaters could swell rivers and its tributaries, particularly Dikatayan, Dinilican, and Palanan-Pinacanauan in Isabela, and Linao, Lower Abulug, Lower Pamplona, Cabicungan, Aunugay, Baua, Palawaig, and Taboan in Cagayan.
PAGASA advised residents near mountain slopes and in low-lying communities of these river systems, as well as the concerned local disaster risk reduction and management councils, to take necessary precautionary measures.
Cagayan and other parts of Northern Luzon have been hit by massive flooding due to monsoon rains intensified by the passage of typhoon “Tisoy” (international name “Kammuri”) last week.
PAGASA weather specialist Meno Mendoza said the tail-end of a cold front, a weather system where warm and cold air meet, may continue to bring cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms over Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, and Apayao tuntil today.
He said flash floods and landslides are likely due to intermittent heavy rains from the cold front.
Meanwhile, the “amihan” or northeast monsoon could bring cloudy skies with scattered light rains over Abra, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, northern Aurora, and the rest of Cagayan Valley. A strong gush of wind may also affect the coastal communities and mountainous regions. (Ellalyn V. Ruiz)