Thirteen days of intense rains caused by Southwest monsoon or habagat left Baguio City with 10 incidences of soil erosion, five cases of collapsed structures, three landslides and an overflowing canal resulting to 15 families composed of 48 individuals evacuated from their home from August 3-15, 2019.
During the heavy rains, the CDRRMO responded to 38 individuals in emergency cases due to trauma and medical needs while 12 individuals were assisted for medical transport per report of Stephanie P. Trinidad, LDRRMO I – CDRRMO Operations and Warning Section.
Heavy rains also affected six electrical and communication lines including three traffic and street lights while 15 incidences of fallen trees and branches were reported.
At the height of monsoon rains on August 12, the house of Noel Lumitang fell into a 40-50 meter cliff at Green Summerville Subdivision, Bakakeng Norte. Luckily, the owner of the house has already evacuated before the incident.
Over 15 motor and vehicular accidents were also reported as thick fog enveloped the city causing zero visibility.
Status of roads bound for Baguio:
Kennon Road remains closed, motorists are advised to take Marcos Highway or Baguio-Bauang Road.
Benguet-Nueva Vizcaya Road is open but some portions of the road are one lane passable due to series of soil erosion in Bokod.
Baguio-Bontoc Road is open but several portions are one lane passable due to soil erosion specifically Ambassador, Tublay; Pilando, Amgaleygey and Pakpakitan, Buguias; Caliking, Paoay, Topdac and Cattubo, Atok . The Busa Section in Sabangan, Mountain Province remains closed due to road cut, motorist are advised to take the alternate route via Bauko, Mountain Province.
Tawang-Ambiong Road in La Trinidad, Benguet is closed to traffic due to road cut. PIO Baguio
Photo CTO Knorr Man Ramirez