1,000 Families Affected, 10 Barangays Underwater in Zambales Town

BOTOLAN, Zambales, Aug. 7  -- More than 1,000 families were affected as 10 barangays in this town went under water after a protected dike here collapsed due to heavy rains brought by typhoon "Kiko" late Thursday

Botolan Mayor Roger Yap said the protected dike along Bucao River overflowed and collapsed, diverting the flood water from the river to Barangay Carael and then to nine more nearby barangays.

As of press time, Yap said the main road along national highway is not passable due to the strong current coming from the breached portion of the dike, leaving motorists bound for Zambales to Manila, and vise versa stranded.

Responding rescue teams of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC), Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Force, Zambales Provincial Police Office, Philippine Coast Guard Subic Station, Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary-Subic Bay, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and Olongapo City Rescue Team were working hand in hand since late Thursday night to evacuate affected residents to four evacuation centers nearby.

"Many residents still cling onto trees, some on rooftops waiting for rescue. They cannot go down because of the strong current," Yap said.

The Botolan Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council (MDCC) conducted relief operations to the evacuees.

"The municipal government is ready for any disaster. We have already prepared provisions in case of a calamity," Yap said.

Meanwhile, Zambales Gov. Amor Deloso has declared a state of calamity in the province.

The governor said the dike was doomed to collapse under the heavy rains brought by typhoon "Kiko" since the structure was made only from mountain soil and "daraga."

"It is not cemented yet and the sandbags can no longer hold the water," Deloso said.

Works on the dike will remain pending until the heavy rains stop and the water subsided, the MDCC said. (PNA)