Manila: Rains brought by the former Tropical Storm Luis have replenished water sources across parts of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), providing much-needed water for households and allowing farmers in rain-fed areas to begin planting, disaster officials said Tuesday.
According to Philippines News Agency, Jose Ignacio Valera, assistant regional director of the Office of Civil Defense-Cordillera, stated in a media interview that the water levels in the dams have increased. Although the rains came quite late, farmers in rain-fed areas are now planting rice and catching up. Apayao, Kalinga, Ifugao, and Mountain Province received moderate to heavy rainfall from the storm, prompting the raising of tropical cyclone wind signals in several municipalities.
Valera reported that the rains triggered only minor landslides, which were immediately cleared by local government units and the Department of Public Works and Highways, allowing affected roads to reopen. Baguio City and Benguet, although not placed under any tropical cyclone wind signal, have experienced intermittent heavy rains since Sunday, helping to replenish groundwater and deep wells.
The rainfall has also raised the water level of Burnham Lake ahead of its scheduled reopening on Sept. 1 after nearly 11 months of rehabilitation, based on videos circulating online. While river levels increased, authorities reported no major flooding or river swelling.
As a precaution, Kennon Road remains closed to the general public, with only residents allowed to pass because of the risk of landslides. The DPWH earlier announced that the highway would be closed during periods of continuous or heavy rainfall.
The OCD noted that at least 15 local government units suspended classes at various levels due to the weather. Despite improving conditions, Valera emphasized that the region remains under Blue Alert, requiring disaster risk reduction and management councils to maintain continuous monitoring.
Local governments have been urged to closely monitor rivers and landslide-prone areas, especially in mountain communities saturated by continuous rains. Authorities are also keeping a watchful eye on the region's major river systems, including the Abra, Chico, Agno, and Apayao-Abulug river basins.
