Floods submerge 8 villages in Zambales

abs-cbnNEWS.com - Floods have submerged eight villages in Botolan, Zambalez on Thursday after continuous rains caused the nearby Bucao River to overflow.

According to Botolan Mayor Roger Yap, among the villages hit by floods are Barangays San Juan, Paco, Carael and Paudpod.

The floods brought by heavy rains from Typhoon "Kiko" have rendered the highway in Barangay Carael impassable for buses bound to Manila.

Zambales Gov. Amor Deloso meanwhile said that the waters came from the mountains towards Bucao River. He said the waters which overflowed from the river due to a damaged dike have reached chest deep in some areas and have rendered the roads impassable even to trucks.

He said assistance is being sought from the Philippine Navy since in some areas residents were already up on the roof of their houses.

Senior Superintendent Rolando Felix, Zambales police chief, said the highway in Barangay Carael was impassable due to the floodwaters that are 2 and a half feet deep. He said this is the highway used by passenger buses going to and from Manila.

Felix said that police, public works and highways department personnel, Army soldiers and local officials were already coordinating. Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority meanwhile have reportedly sent its emergency crew and equipment.

Felix also said that they have been able to rescue 271 persons from the flooded areas.

The floods have affected at least 800 families in the town, said Yap.

Yap also said that evacuees have been taken to 4 evacuation centers. He said that there were those requesting to be rescued from the at least waist-deep floodwaters. but have yet to reached.

A resident meanwhile told ABS-CBN News that waters started to overflow from the river around 6:30 p.m. after heavy rains in the area. The caller said in some areas only the roof of the houses are visible.

The caller described Barangay Carael as two kilometres away from the river. Residents in the town’s plaza which is 500 meters from Barangay Carael have started to evacuate, said the caller.

Strong typhoon

Meanwhile Typhoon Kiko was located by the country’s weather agency to be 420 kilometers northeast of Basco, Batanes as of 10 p.m. Thursday.

The typhoon has maximum winds of 140 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph. It was moving at west northwest at 22 kph.

Storm Signal No. 1 has been raised over Ilocos Norte, Apayao, Northern Cagayan and Batanes.

The weather disturbance is expected continue to enhance the southwest monsoon and bring occasional rains over Luzon and Western Visayas.