With storm signal number 5, the town of Gonzaga, Cagayan, was battered by relentless winds.
Floodwaters rapidly engulfed roads, as seen in footage from various sources.
In Baggao, where the typhoon made landfall, the eye of the storm briefly calmed the rains but left behind destruction.
Classrooms at Valley Cove Integrated School in Sta. Margarita were reduced to rubble, while daycare center roofs were blown meters away.
According to Ruelli Rapsing, Chief of Cagayan PDRRMO, “Heavy to intense torrential rains caused flash floods in Gonzaga, destroying bridges due to logs washed down from mountains.”
Relief operations in neighboring Sta. Ana have been temporarily halted as bridges remain impassable.
“Relief goods distribution is on hold until transportation issues are resolved. Supplies will be delivered to the bridge for pick-up,” said Bernadette Yuro, PIO at Sta. Ana MDRRMO.
The MDRRMO reported over 10,700 evacuees, while aerial inspections revealed extensive flooding across 113 barangays.
Despite the heavy rains, water levels in the Cagayan River have begun receding.
Nearly 29,800 individuals have evacuated, with no casualties reported. Provincial efforts are focused on providing aid and assessing the damage left by Typhoon Ofel.
**CHARLES NIKKO LIMON
