Philippines: Northern Communities Cope with Severe Flooding

Three days of torrential rains caused by a tropical storm flooded low-lying areas in the northern Philippines, particularly the coastal communities of Bataan province and Dagupan city.

While the country sees at least 20 storms a year – some of them destructive – the latest flooding caught many by surprise. Residents woke up over the weekend to find murky brown water flowing from rivers that had burst their banks seeping into their homes.

A dike in Sinucalan River in Santa Barbara town was breached. Water coming from upland areas and mountain rangers cascaded down the channels.

The flooding is affecting more than 670,000 residents in about 20 cities and municipalities. Officials declared a state of calamity in Pangasinan province, the home of Dagupan, and Cavite province, according to media reports.

In 2013, Typhoon Haiyan cut through the heart of the Philippines, with sustained winds of 195 mph, causing massive destruction in the archipelago and deaths of over 6,300.