‘Dante’ Dumps Rains, Floods Camarines Sur Towns

Naga, Bikol Rivers being monitored

Saturday, May 2nd, 2009

NAGA CITY--Tropical Depression “Dante” flooded several towns while staying almost stationary over Bikol region for days.

The Naga City government through Mayor Jesse Robredo said it is monitoring the flood situation which as of 9:00 in the morning today has affected six villages here.

Parts of the villages of Tabuco, Sabang, Mabolo, and Triangulo, all lying at the banks of Naga River are flooded while areas in Barangay San Felipe and Barangay Calauag remains under knee-deep water. Robredo said he had coordinated with barangay chairs of the 27 villages of this city including the upper villages on the flanks of Mt. Isarog. “I ask them to keep watch on the water level of Naga River.”

He said once the level of Naga River rises to critical level, he would order evacuation of residents in low-lying areas. Meanwhile, flooding has been reported in several towns in Camarines Sur.

The local government of Minalabac said rice fields in their town are already submerged in floodwaters brought by the rising water level of Bikol River, which passes through the low-lying municipality. In San Fernando, another flood-prone town, Mayor Fermin Mabulo said he was monitoring the heavy rains.

In Magarao town, Mayor Nelson Julia already has ordered the evacuation of residents in Barangay Ponong and Barangay Sta. Rosa, all lying besidethe Bicol River.

In Iriga City, Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen said they are keeping watch of the water level of the creeks and rivers coming down from Mt. Iriga. She said the city disaster coordinating council had been alerted.

In Bula town, Mayor Ben Decena said the ricefields in the villages of Fabrica, Sta. Elena, San Jose, Casugad, Balaogan, Palsong, San Agustin, and Ombao-Polpog are already inundated by the rising floodwaters.