CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija — Several roads in this province on Sunday were closed to traffic due to either floods or mudslides caused by typhoon ‘Karen’ , according to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).
PDRRMC spokesman, Dr. Abraham Pascua, said among the roads that have closed to all types of vehicles were Pinagpanaan-Rizal-Pantabangan (KLm 125+940); Pantabangan-Canili-Basal-Baler Road (KLm 185-450); Laur-Gabaldon Road (Barangay Calabasa); Bongabon-Laur-Gabaldon Road (Barangay San Vicente); Palayan-Bongabon Road (Barangay Sapang Buho) and Palayan-Laur Road (Barangay Sagana).
Clearing operations were being conducted in areas affected by mudslides, Pascua said.
At least 228 families or a total of 900 persons from different municipalities have preemptively evacuated to safer grounds, he said.
With this, Gov. Czarina Umali suspended classes, all levels, public and private, and work in government offices “due to critical water levels and conditions of the Upper Pampanga River in the Laur- Bongabon- Gabaldon areas, Santor River, Peñaranda River and other tributaries in Talugtog and Cuyapo.
However, goverment offices, such as hospitals, must be kept open even during time of disaster.
Meanwhile, Cabanatuan City Mayor Julius Cesar Vergara lauded private firms who rushed to offer assistance in helping residents in case of need, even as he alerted public for possible continuous rains in the next few days.
Vergara noted that while typhoon ‘Karen’ may exit the country soon, another typhoon with international name ‘Haima’ is expected to enter Philippine Area of Responsibility based on a forecast by the weather bureau.
Among the business establishments that offered assistance, Vergara said, were WalterMart, Puregold and Save More.
For instance, Save More lent a truck-mounted power generator for the use of City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, he said. Marilyn Galang/PNA-northboundasia.com