Floods, landslides hit Cagayan, Isabela

MANILA, Philippines - Classes from pre-school to senior high school in both public and private schools were suspended in Cagayan yesterday as several roads were closed due to floods and landslides spawned by heavy rains since last week.

The Patapat road, which connects Cagayan and Ilocos Norte, was closed at 7 a.m. yesterday.

The Manila North road in Barangay San Juan in Sta. Praxedez town and Cagayan-Apayao road in Rizal were not passable due to landslides, said Wilson Valdez, Department of Public Works and Highways-Cagayan information officer.

The towns of Baggao, Lasam, Camalaniugan, Peñablanca, Tuao, Solana, Enrile, Gattaran and Tuguegarao City were flooded, the DPWH said.

Superintendent Chivalier Iringan, Cagayan Valley police information officer, said Tawi and Cabasan bridges in Peñablanca town, Macapagal Avenue in Tuguegarao City, Abusag in Baggao as well as Bagunot and Bitag Grande were submerged in floodwaters.

In Isabela, Barangays Ramon, San Mateo, Cabatuan, San Manuel, Aurora, Roxas and Mallig, which are near the Magat Dam, remained flooded.