Heavy rains swell Tarlac rivers

TARLAC CITY — The provincial disaster coordinating council has sent hundreds of jute sacks for sandbagging operations in low-lying villages, particularly those on the banks of the Tarlac River and other waterways which have swelled due to rains brought by tropical storm "Frank."

Gov. Jose Yap said sandbagging operations have been in full swing since yesterday morning in the riverbank barangays of Ayson, Malayep and Santiago in Gerona town as the Tarlac River swelled to a critical level.

So far, Yap said there have been no untoward incidents caused by "Frank," except for minimal flooding on some portions of major provincial roads.

Yap said residents of low-lying communities near the Borongabong River in Paniqui town have also been advised to carry out sandbagging operations.

He warned that the river could further swell if the monsoon rains continue.

The Tarlac River is a major catchbasin of floodwaters coming from the mountain ranges on the boundary of Tarlac, Pampanga and Zambales. It extends from the O’Donnell River to the southern waterways of Pangasinan.

Meanwhile, Yap said he has instructed retired Brig. Gen. Virgilio Florendo, head of the provincial disaster coordinating council (PDCC), to closely monitor the Rio Chico River at the Tarlac-Nueva Ecija boundary since its swelling may eventually cut off the Tarlac City-Sta. Rosa route.

Should the Rio Chico River overflow, Yap said villages in La Paz, Tarlac and Zaragosa, Nueva Ecija would be heavily flooded.

Should the Tarlac City-Sta. Rosa route be cut off, he directed the PDCC and the provincial police to reroute traffic to the road linking the Tarlac towns of Gerona and Pura with Guimba, Nueva Ecija.