Manila: Tropical Storm Maymay, also known internationally as Kujira, along with the enhanced southwest monsoon, has disrupted the lives of 1,775 families and led to the suspension of classes in La Union and Pangasinan.
According to Philippines News Agency, the La Union Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported that, as of 5 a.m. on Wednesday, the weather disturbances have impacted 1,735 families or 4,989 individuals across 51 barangays in La Union. Of these, 213 families or 653 individuals are currently housed in eight evacuation centers, while 338 families or 757 individuals are staying outside these centers. The affected families are from the municipalities of Bacnotan, Bangar, Agoo, Aringay, Bagulin, Bauang, Burgos, Caba, Naguilian, and Santo Tomas.
The PDRRMO documented 31 flooding incidents, alongside five events of landslides, rockslides, and mudslides, as well as one case of a fallen tree. Currently, 34 barangays are experiencing power outages in Bauang, Naguilian, and San Fernando City. Additionally, seven houses suffered partial damage in Bauang.
The provincial government of La Union released a statement mentioning that local executives from the affected areas are actively monitoring the situation on the ground. These officials have provided initial aid to the affected families and are concentrating on clearing operations in the roads and landslide-prone areas. As a result of the disturbances, classes at all levels in both public and private schools, as well as work in government offices-excluding frontline services-have been suspended.
Similarly, in Pangasinan, a localized suspension of classes has been implemented in 47 out of the 48 local government units due to the anticipated heavy rainfall. The provincial government indicated that local government units (LGUs) make decisions based on their monitoring, while in Binalonan, decisions are left to the discretion of schools.
Pangasinan PDRRMO emergency head Pia Flores, in a phone interview, stated, "We are expecting, based on the heavy rainfall outlook, 100 to 200 millimeters of moderate to intense accumulated rainfall within 24 hours and 50 to 100 millimeters on Thursday." Flores also reported that 40 families or 125 individuals in Alaminos City and Bani town are currently in evacuation centers. Although flooding has subsided in some areas, some villages in Lingayen and Calasiao towns remain flooded, and a minor landslide has been reported in Bolinao town. "There are no reported injured or damaged houses so far," she added.
Authorities are keeping a watchful eye on river systems, anticipating that runoff from the mountains could swell waterways in the coming days, potentially leading to flooding in low-lying areas. As of 5 a.m., tropical cyclone wind signal no. 2 has been issued for the northern and central parts of La Union and areas such as Anda, Bolinao, and Bani in Pangasinan, while the rest of La Union and Pangasinan are under signal no. 1 due to the effects of Tropical Storm Maymay.
