Due to the continuous heavy rain from Typhoon Kristine, a storm surge or rise in seawater levels occurred at Lingayen Beach, which caused flooding in some towns.
According to Vincent Chiu, Operations Chief of the Pangasinan Provincial Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO), “We experienced a storm surge, and it coincided with the high tide, which caused flooding in the capitol area and the baywalk area. Based on our monitoring last night, the water rose to 2-3 feet, so we immediately evacuated the barangays located in the coastal areas of Binmaley and Lingayen, and they were successfully evacuated.”
“This is truly a calamity. The high tide rose, and a storm surge occurred, making the waves larger, which is unusual. But we are doing everything we can to ensure everyone’s safety,” Governor Ramon V. Guico III added.
The waves were also strong at the baywalk of Bonuan Binloc Beach in Dagupan, which caused damage to some parts of the road.
A ship also ran aground on the shores of Binmaley.
It was the MV Xavier Tanker, which was on its way to the town of Sual.
According to the latest report from the Pangasinan PDRRMO, around 528 families or 1,783 individuals are temporarily staying at evacuation centers in the province due to the flooding.
Rescue operations have been ongoing since last night in Lingayen and Binmaley.
“Yes, we are prepared. We have prepared and are even adding hygiene kits. We have pre-positioned food packs that they could use, and all roads are passable at this time. So I don’t think logistics will be an issue in delivering assistance to our fellow citizens in various LGUs in the province,” Governor Guico assured.
Twelve municipalities are estimated to be affected by the typhoon, including Alaminos City, Anda, Binmaley, Bolinao, Labrador, and Dagupan City.
“Our coordination is ongoing, especially with our counterparts from municipal disaster and city disaster offices, particularly today,” said Chiu.
The province remains under red alert status, and Signal Number 3 is still in effect in Pangasinan.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Army are also on standby.
Meanwhile, earlier this afternoon, Governor Ramon V. Guico III personally visited and checked on the evacuees.
He provided family food packs and hygiene kits to the residents.
The evacuees are deeply grateful for the assistance they received.
“We are very grateful to Governor Guico III for the food provided to us in Maniboc because we were severely flooded. The waves came in, so we are now here in Narciso,” said Elvira Versoza, one of the evacuees.
Meanwhile, Governor Ramon V. Guico III is urging the residents who are heavily affected by the flooding, especially those in coastal areas, to evacuate.
As of now, there have been no reported fatalities from the impact of Typhoon Kristine in the entire province.
**VALERIE ANN DISMAYA
