Authorities warn of Flashfloods and Landslides

Residents in provinces and areas in North Luzon are warned about the possibility of landslides and flashfloods from heavy rains spawned by tropical storm “Dindo.”

This weather disturbance is expected to bring more rains that could trigger landslides and flashfloods in affected areas. It could also trigger storm surge in coastal areas.

The estimated rainfall is expected to range from 15 to 24 millimeters per hour within the 400 kilometer diameter of the weather disturbance which is categorized as heavy or intense.

Affected areas are Cagayan, Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands, Isabela, Batanes Group of Islands, Apayao, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Ilocos Norte and Abra which were earlier placed under storm signal No. 2.

Also alerted were residents of La Union, Ilocos Sur, Aurora, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and Benguet who are also under storm signal No. 1.

Aside from Northern Luzon, heavy rains are also expected in Southern Luzon and the Visayas.

Meanwhile, the strong winds and rains brought about by Dindo forced a Philippine Airlines flight en route to Laoag to return to Manila.

PAL flight PR226 departed Manila yesterday at 9:50am.  While en route however, heavy rains and strong winds battered the Laoag City airport prompting airport officials to declare it unsafe for flight operations.

Upon being informed of the bad weather that developed in Laoag, the pilot of the PAL flight decided to turn back to Manila instead. Four other domestic flights were cancelled.

The airport’s Media Affairs Division had listed Cebu Pacific flights 5J504 and 5J505 flying between Manila and Tuguegarao as cancelled.  Also cancelled were Air Philippines flights 2P014 and 2P015 bound for Tuguegarao.

Be careful when traveling north

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