The Cagayan River continued to swell on Saturday, October 4, submerging more villages in floodwaters as rains persisted across the province.
The Tuguegarao City government said it has placed its disaster response units on full alert and continues to monitor the river’s condition as the water level reached the critical nine-meter mark at the Buntun Bridge Gauging Station around 3 p.m.
Mayor Maila Ting Que said authorities might enforce forced evacuation in flood-prone and low-lying areas if the water level continues to rise. She noted that farmers could again bear the brunt of the flooding, emphasizing that although the typhoon did not directly hit Tuguegarao, the city remains the catch basin for runoff from upstream provinces.
Que said they have been coordinating with local disaster officials to ensure the safety of residents as Severe Tropical Storm Paolo (international name Matmo) moves toward southern China.
Floodwaters have already rendered several major roads and bridges impassable, including the Capatan overflow bridge, Riverbank Bonifacio Street, Centro 01, Teresita Boulevard leading to the eco-park in Centro 10, and the Aguinaldo Extension near the Cagayan Museum.
Reports from the City Social Welfare and Development Office showed that at least 66 families, or 256 individuals, from 35 vulnerable villages—among them Centro 10, Ugac Norte, San Gabriel, and Cataggaman Nuevo—have been preemptively evacuated.
Most evacuees are staying in barangay halls and schools identified as evacuation sites, while others have sought temporary shelter with relatives in safer areas.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.