PANGASINAN, Philippines — Pangasinan has intensified its disaster response as persistent rains trigger flooding, rising river levels and road disruptions across several parts of the province, prompting authorities to mobilize rescue equipment and preposition response teams.
The Pangasinan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) raised the province’s alert status from White to Blue at 8 p.m. on August 16, as rainfall and rising waterways increased the risk of further flooding.
During a pre-disaster risk assessment meeting on August 17, PDRRMO Operations Head Vincent Chiu reported that the province was experiencing cloudy conditions with light to moderate, and at times heavy, rains. Sea conditions were also described as relatively rough.
Two major rivers breach critical levels
Authorities are closely watching river systems after the Marusay River reached 9 feet, exceeding its 8-foot critical level.
The Sinocalan River, meanwhile, climbed to 7.2 meters above sea level, surpassing its 7.0-meter critical level.
Other monitored rivers also recorded elevated water levels, although they remained below their respective critical thresholds at the time of the report.
The situation comes as the southwest monsoon, or Habagat, continues to bring rain over western and northern Luzon.
PAGASA said on August 17 that Pangasinan could experience occasional rains from the southwest monsoon, with moderate to at times heavy rainfall potentially triggering flash floods and landslides.
Rescue teams and equipment moved closer to danger zones
The PDRRMO has prepositioned rescue assets in Burgos, Tayug, San Fabian, San Nicolas, Bugallon and Barangay Malico.
In Mangatarem, authorities also deployed a dump truck, rescue truck and search-and-rescue personnel to support possible evacuation and emergency operations.
As of August 17, flooding had been reported in 34 barangays across seven municipalities and one city, while flash flooding was reported in Labrador and Bugallon.
The flooding has also disrupted transportation.
Authorities reported that nine barangay roads, two provincial roads and one national road were closed to light vehicles. Another four barangay roads and one national road were reportedly impassable to all vehicles.
In Labrador, the provincial government arranged free transportation to Lingayen after a route became impassable.
More than 220,000 families listed as affected
The latest provincial report placed the number of affected families at 220,647 across 365 barangays in 23 municipalities and three cities.
However, authorities stressed that the figure includes communities affected during the previous Habagat episode and remains subject to consolidation and updating.
At least 141 families, or 496 individuals, were staying in evacuation centers, while another 39 families, or 114 individuals, were staying outside evacuation centers, according to the PDRRMO.
The province has requested food and non-food assistance from the Office of Civil Defense Region 1 for affected local government units.
Pangasinan’s flood crisis has been building
The latest flooding is part of a broader spell of monsoon-related flooding that has repeatedly affected Pangasinan in recent weeks.
Earlier this month, GMA News reported that more than 56,000 people had been affected by widespread flooding in the province, with rescue teams using boats and trucks to evacuate residents from flooded communities.
Dagupan City, one of the areas repeatedly affected by flooding, declared a state of calamity on August 10 following widespread flooding linked to the enhanced southwest monsoon.
Mangaldan was also placed under a state of calamity after the Habagat affected all 30 of its barangays, according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
The continuing rainfall is also consistent with PAGASA’s August 17 forecast, which warned that the Habagat would continue to bring rain to Pangasinan and other parts of Luzon.
Authorities urge residents to remain alert
For now, provincial disaster officials continue to monitor river levels, road conditions and flood-prone communities while coordinating with municipal and city disaster offices.
Weather advisories are being disseminated through local disaster risk reduction offices, text alerts, response clusters and social media platforms, according to the PDRRMO.
With key rivers already above critical levels and additional rain still possible, authorities are keeping rescue resources on standby as the situation develops.
The biggest concern now: how much higher will the rivers rise if the rains continue?
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