Parts of Laoag City were under ankle- to knee-deep floodwater on Monday, Aug. 31, as landslides struck three barangays and a flood-prone village was evacuated, the city disaster office said.
Flooded streets, landslides in three barangays
Water rose from ankle to knee level across several areas, with below-waist-level flooding in parts of Barangay 2 and knee-deep water in Barangay 38-A in Mangato village. Landslides hit Barangays 23 and 55-A, with two more in Sitio Matirem-A in Barangay 57, Pila, and a house in Sitio Ligsay also flooded.
A village evacuated, a road closed
Residents of Sampaloc Village in Barangay 2 were preemptively evacuated as water levels rose. Among those moved to safety was a bedridden patient, brought to Laoag City General Hospital for medical assessment. A road in Barangay 52-B, Lataag, was closed to heavy vehicles, with only light vehicles allowed to pass.
Laoag barangays hit by the flooding
| Barangay / area | Impact |
|---|---|
| Barangay 2 (incl. Sampaloc Village) | Below-waist-level flooding; village evacuated |
| Barangay 38-A, Mangato | Knee-deep flooding |
| Barangays 23 and 55-A | Landslides |
| Barangay 57, Pila (Sitio Matirem-A) | Two landslides |
| Barangay 52-B, Lataag | Road closed to heavy vehicles |
The wider Habagat toll
The flooding is part of a wider southwest monsoon, or Habagat, event battering Luzon. In neighboring Ilocos Sur, a whirlwind damaged 10 houses in two Burgos villages on Sunday evening, with no injuries. Pangasinan has been placed under a state of calamity, while the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported 8.4 million people affected by the monsoon and cyclones.
The desk has been tracking this weather event. See the Sept. 1 class suspension list and PAGASA’s forecast.
What residents should do
The CDRRMO advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel in flooded areas, follow road closures, and monitor official advisories. It also warned against wading through fast-rising water.
- Monitor official CDRRMO and PAGASA advisories.
- Be ready to evacuate when instructed in low-lying and flood-prone areas.
- Do not wade or cross moving floodwater.
- Follow road closures and authority instructions.
