Thirteen days of intense rains due to Southwest monsoon or habagat left Baguio City with 10 incidences of soil erosion leading to five cases of collapsed structures, three landslides and an overflowing canal resulting to 15 families composed of 48 individuals evacuated from their homes.
This was based on the monitoring of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) covering the period August 3-15, 2019.
Evacuees are staying with their relatives but the City Social Welfare and Development Office have already delivered relief packs while safety of their homes are yet to be stabilized.
During the heavy rains, the CDRRMO responded to 38 individuals in emergency cases due to trauma and medical needs while 12 individuals were assisted for medical transport per report of Stephanie P. Trinidad, LDRRMO I – CDRRMO Operations and Warning Section.
Heavy rains also affected six electrical and communication lines including three traffic and street lights while 15 incidences of fallen trees and branches were reported.
At the height of monsoon rains on August 12, the house of Noel Lumitang fell into a 40-50 meter cliff at Green Summerville Subdivision, Bakakeng Norte. Lumitang has already evacuated before the incident.
Over 15 motor and vehicular accidents were also reported as thick fog enveloped the city causing zero visibility.
While the rains eased by August 16, several major thoroughfares inbound for Baguio City remains closed to motorist due to landslides and road cut including Governor Pack Road near BGH Rotunda which was closed to traffic due to scoured and hanging footing of a welcome arc.
Kennon Road remains closed and motorists are advised to take Marcos Highway or Baguio-Bauang Road. The Tawang-Ambiong Road in La Trinidad is also closed to traffic due to road cut since August 13.
The Benguet-Nueva Vizcaya Road is open but some portions of the road are one lane passable due to series of soil erosions in Bokod.
The Baguio-Bontoc Road or the Halsema Highway is open but several portions are one lane passable due to soil erosion specifically Ambassador, Tublay; Pilando, Amgaleygey and Pakpakitan, Buguias; Caliking, Paoay, Topdac and Cattubo, Atok. The Busa Section in Sabangan, Mountain Province remains closed due to road cut, motorist are advised to take the alternate route via Bauko, Mountain Province.
Meanwhile, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Zambales and Bataan will continue to experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms caused by the Southwest monsoon./Jessa Mardy Samidan
