By HENRY EMPEÑO | July 31, 2024

IBA, Zambales — A total of 1,944 families composed of 5,856 individuals evacuated to safety starting July 24, as Typhoon Carina in three days whipped up incessant monsoon rains that flooded areas in at least nine of the 13 towns of Zambales.

The Zambales Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported a total of 5,851 families, or 17,658 persons that were affected by the weather disturbance in 77 villages throughout the province.

The PDRRMO also reported damages at P405.45 million. This includes estimates of structures, equipment, crops, fisheries resources, and livestock that were destroyed during the typhoon.

Of the 77 areas in the province that experienced flooding, the coastal village of Naulo in Santa Cruz town recorded the deepest floodwater at 7.68 feet.

In view of the continuing inclement weather, Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. ordered the suspension of work in all government offices and schools, as well as private agencies, offices and schools throughout the province on July 24.

PDRRMO Head Rolex Estella said that Gov. Ebdane ordered the preventive evacuation of residents in low-lying areas to reduce the chances of having to mount risky search and rescue operations amid flooding at nighttime.

At the same time, government workers began distributing food packs to evacuees who were housed temporarily in schoolhouses, barangay halls, and other designated evacuation centers.

The PDRRMO recorded the greatest number of evacuees in Botolan town with 2,121 individuals from 815 families in 16 barangays. This was followed by Sta. Cruz with 778 individuals from 225 families in seven barangays; Subic with 713 individuals from 197 families in 16 barangays; Cabangan with 657 persons from 206 families in 19 barangays; and Iba with 595 persons from 187 families in nine barangays.

The other towns that recorded residents sheltering temporarily in evacuation centers are: San Narciso with 110 families composed of 362 individuals; Masinloc, 64 families with 156 persons; Castillejos, 44 families, 192 persons; San Felipe, 38 families, 89 persons; Candelaria, 29 families, 86 individuals; San Antonio, 21 families, 77 persons; and Paluig, 8 families, 30 persons.

Only the town of San Marcelino did not report any evacuation among residents, which local officials attributed to effective communication and coordination, and disaster preparedness among local government units.

Most of the communities that were flooded were in Botolan town, with 22 areas under two to three feet of floodwaters; Palauig and Candelaria with 12 flooded communities; the capital town of Iba with 10 barangays under water; Cabangan with eight; Subic with six; Santa Cruz with four; Masinloc, with two; and Castillejos with one.

The PDRRMO reported that floodwaters and sea surges caused by heavy rains had destroyed some P396.25 million worth of infrastructure in the province. These included nine slope protection projects worth P349 million, two road works worth P34 million, and flood control structures worth P2.25 million.

Meanwhile, damages to agriculture reached P9.2 million, with rice crops valued at P5.47 million; high value crops at P3.058 million; fisheries at P476,140 and livestock at P198,000.

The Zambales Agriculture Office reported the number of affected farmers at 386 and placed the total area of affected farm lands at 421 hectares.

At the height of the typhoon, government teams also began clearing operations and removed fallen trees on roadsides, installed sandbags in flooded and eroded areas, and evacuated residents to safety.

PDRRMO chief Estella added that PDRRMO operatives also evacuated the remains of a departed when floodwaters threatened to disrupt the wake held at Barangay Paco in Botolan. The rescue team braved waist-deep floodwaters to bring the casket to the Botolan People’s Plaza, more than a kilometer away. 