95 villages in Cagayan, Batanes at risk due to Francisco

TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN, Philippines — At least 95 villages in Batanes and Cagayan provinces are at risk of flooding and landslides as Typhoon Francisco (international name: Mekkhala) moves closer to Northern Luzon, prompting government agencies to intensify disaster preparedness measures.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)-Cagayan Valley said 29 barangays in the Batanes towns of Basco, Itbayat, Ivana, Mahatao, Sabtang and Uyugan and 66 barangays in the Cagayan towns of Aparri, Calayan, Gattaran, Gonzaga, Lal-lo, Sanchez Mira, Santa Ana and Santa Teresita have been identified as vulnerable to flooding and landslides.

Geologist Aina Claravall presented the assessment during an online predisaster risk assessment meeting on Monday.

Article continues after this advertisement

She said the identified villages include low-lying and landslide-prone areas that have been monitored by the agency over the years. The number of affected communities could still increase if Francisco enhances the southwest monsoon or “habagat,” she added.

READ: Francisco now a super typhoon

Claravall urged residents outside the listed areas to remain vigilant, particularly those living at the foot of mountains with existing ground cracks, communities with a history of flooding and settlements near rivers.

Monitoring

The MGB advised local government units to closely monitor rivers, slopes and drainage systems, report signs of soil movement and carry out preemptive evacuations when necessary.

READ: Typhoon Francisco rapidly intensifies over Philippine Sea

Article continues after this advertisement

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Cagayan Valley has prepared 114,000 family food packs across local government units in anticipation of the typhoon’s impact after Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was raised over Batanes and parts of Cagayan on Monday.

Mylene Attaban, chief of the DSWD Region 2 Disaster Response Management Division, said the agency has strategically positioned relief supplies in areas likely to be affected.

Article continues after this advertisement

In addition to the readied stocks, the DSWD has 96,000 family food packs and household kits stored in regional warehouses and has earmarked P3 million in standby funds for the emergency procurement of additional supplies if needed.

Attaban said relief goods have already been delivered to vulnerable areas, including Batanes, its island municipalities, and the remote island town of Calayan in Cagayan.

In Itbayat, local authorities have raised a blue alert status as part of their preparedness measures. Social workers have readied food packs and nonfood items, including hygiene kits, child-friendly kits, pails and other emergency supplies.

Harriette Antas, Itbayat’s municipal budget officer, reported that the town has sufficient disaster mitigation funds, supplemented by a fully funded Quick Response Fund equivalent to 200 percent of its required allocation.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

Kathleen Garcia, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer II of Itbayat, said emergency responders have already been deployed to areas threatened by the approaching typhoon to ensure a swift response should conditions worsen. /cb