ON FULL ALERT!

La Trinidad’s emergency operations center based at the municipal hall and the disaster risk reduction teams across all 16 barangays went on full gear today as relentless heavy rainfall triggered localized landslides and isolated road closures in the valley.

Emergency response teams have been mobilized quickly to address scattered incidents of minor soil erosion and fallen trees. However, there are some travel routes that were damaged. The Lubas-Ambiong Road remains closed to traffic to give way to full clearing operations by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The Longlong-Balite Road in Barangay Puguis has also been rendered impassable due to a substantial rockfall.

In a brief moment of relief for local farmers, the Bolo Creek did not overflow its banks as it typically does during severe downpours, sparing the municipality's iconic strawberry farms from devastating floodwaters. Tragedy, however, struck in Barangay Shilan, where a severe mudslide claimed the lives of two men. The victims, both employees at a local eatery, were buried inside the establishment when a torrent of mud and debris collapsed into the structure. Mayor Roderick Awingan, who went to the area to lend support, expressed his profound condolences to the families of the victims.

The mayor spent the day conducting on-site inspections across the affected barangays to evaluate local conditions and ensure a coordinated response. He has directed all emergency response resources to distribute food packs, medical aid, and necessary relief assistance to the affected communities.

Ther interior roads of Barangay Betag posed the biggest challenge as water levels in drainage canals triggered localized flooding across low-lying areas. Awingan said a full engineering intervention is needed to be able to locate the canals and waterways that are heavily silted or disrupted by concrete structures. He said he will soon convene a meeting with property owners to seek their permission to allow earth moving activities within their premises in a bid to solve the situation.

Author: 𝘋𝘖𝘊

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