LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, July 17 (PNA)- Forced evacuation is now going on in Bani town as floodwater spawned by two-weeks of monsoon rains continues to rise, coupled by the rise of tidal water in the coastal areas.
In Dagupan City, local government authorities are preparing to undertake rescue and relief operations for citizens in low-lying area affected by rising floodwater caused by days of continuous monsoon rains and rising tidal water.
In the western town of Bani, Mayor Gwen Yamamoto is personally appealing to her constituents to evacuate from their homes as the river near them is now about to overflow because of the continuing monsoon rains.
Forced evacuation is now being undertaken in Barangays Banog, Apurao, Bolanen, Amanwawa, Boloc, Cabarubocx, Ariawa and Borlongan in Bani.
Yamamoto also posted her appeal for her constituents to now evacuate and save themselves in her own Facebook account which appeared Friday morning.
The evacuees were brought to the municipal hall and the Catholic church in the town proper for temporary shelter,
Meanwhile several villages in Calasiao town are now under water. These are Longos, San Vicente, Lasip, Talibaew, Gabon and San Miguel.
In Barangay San Vicente, boats are now being used to transport people from their homes to their respective destinations as their road is now impassable to all types of motor vehicles.
In Dagupan City, Mayor Belen Fernandez convened the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) to a meeting to discuss possible rescue operations if water further rises.
In attendance were Supt. Christopher Abrahano, CDRRMC vice chairman; heads of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard, City Engineering Office and others.
As of 11 a.m. Friday, floodwater at Malta Village road and the Dagupan City National High School reached between six and seven inches high; the road leading the GMA Channel 7, four inches; Tanguegue Road in Bonuan Gueset, one foot; Burgos to Tapuac Road, two to three inches; and Careenan Road, knee-deep. (PNA)