Floodwaters reached knee-deep along Buyagan Road in Barangay Puguis, La Trinidad, Benguet, yesterday afternoon, October 10.

This was due to the sudden downpour of heavy rain in Benguet.

Several vehicles stalled, while others attempted to brave the floodwaters.

Some roads in Barangay Betag were even flooded.

According to the La Trinidad Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), despite the area being flood-prone, a creek that serves as a waterway was blocked.

“The property owner developed the large creek that leads to a private road, so the creek connecting to Bolo Creek disappeared,” said Mayor Romeo Salda of La Trinidad, Benguet.

The said creek is vital because it is connected to Bolo Creek. The local government plans to clean it.

“Since that is a provincial road and the road leading there is private, we will consult with the provincial engineer to find an alternative outlet, so there will be two outlets leading to Bolo Creek,” Salda added.

In the town center of Alicia, Isabela, several motorcycles were submerged in almost knee-deep floodwaters.

Some tricycles had no choice but to navigate through the floodwaters.

The municipal covered court was also flooded.

Heavy rain began pouring at around five in the afternoon.

According to Bryan Mayoralgo, Chief of Alicia MDRRMO, “One of the causes of rising water levels is that some inlets were clogged with soil, based on our assessment with the Engineering office this morning.”

Due to this, barangays will conduct clearing operations on clogged canals to prevent future flooding.

In the town of Enrile, Cagayan, mud and floodwaters surged through the roads in Barangay Maddarulug.

Only large vehicles were allowed to pass through the roads.

Classrooms at Enrile East Central School in Brgy. Magalalag was also flooded, but the waters quickly subsided.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), more than 100 millimeters of rain fell in parts of Cordillera and Cagayan Valley yesterday, caused by localized thunderstorms.

This amount is equivalent to about a week’s worth of rainfall poured in just three hours.

“A single thunderstorm can also create flash floods and flooding in low-lying areas. Of course, there are occurrences of lightning strikes during thunderstorms,” Larry Esperanza, Chief Meteorological Officer – DOST PAGASA Baguio Synoptic Station mentioned.

According to PAGASA, rainy weather is expected to continue in Northern Luzon due to the northeasterly wind flow or cool air coming from the northwest.

This is because the country is transitioning to the Amihan season or Northeast Monsoon, which will bring cooler weather.

PAGASA reminds the public, especially those living in flood and landslide-prone areas, to stay alert during heavy rainfall.

**CHARLES NIKKO LIMON