BAGUIO, Philippines – The Ilocos Norte provincial government has declared a state of calamity, reeling from the devastation wrought by Typhoon Julian (Krathon), which tore through the province, leaving homes shattered, livelihoods in ruins, and entire communities submerged.
“The typhoon brought heavy rain, strong winds, and widespread flooding, resulting in substantial damage to properties, agricultural areas, and disruption to livelihoods across various parts of the province,” the provincial government announced Tuesday, October 1.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) recorded P384 million in infrastructure damage from Julian’s onslaught, with more than 18,000 families affected.
Meanwhile, damage to agriculture is estimated at P87 million, affecting 8,272 farmers and 4,163 hectares of farmland.
The cities of Laoag and Batac, along with 15 other towns, experienced knee-deep to waist-level flooding, with four river systems – the Padsan in Laoag, Quiaoit in Batac, Bulu in Adams, and Bislak in Bacarra – reaching critical levels.
Authorities also reported two fatalities, one each in Laoag and Batac, while another person remains missing in Paoay.
The towns of Pasuquin, Sarrat, Bangui, Vintar, Burgos, Pagudpud, Bacarra, Adams, San Nicolas, Dumalneg, and Laoag City remained under Signal No. 1, based on the Tropical Cyclone Bulletin of the state weather bureau as of 11 am Wednesday, October 2.
But on Monday, September 30, Ilocos was placed under a red alert status as Julian pummeled its provinces. Julian had reached super typhoon status.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Ilocos Region said nonstop torrential rains since Sunday, September 29, turned major roads across Ilocos Norte – Adams, Pagudpud, Paoay, Currimao, Sarrat, Piddig, Solsona, Bacarra, Batac, Dingras, Vintar, and Laoag – into virtual rivers. Access roads in these areas became impassable to light vehicles on Monday.
Meanwhile, the Pancian-Adams road traversing Poblacion village in Adams town was also impassable that day to all types of vehicles, while the Ilocos Norte-Apayao road in Solsona town was also closed to all vehicles due to landslides, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways.
The situation was so bad that Philippine Airlines flights scheduled for Monday at Laoag International Airport were canceled, and tourist spots were also closed due to the typhoon, the provincial government said.
Power lines were cut as a safety precaution by the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative in several areas, including Paoay, Banna, Bacarra, San Nicolas, Solsona, and the cities of Laoag and Batac.
Isolated
In Lipay and Nalasin villages in Solsona town, around 370 families were isolated after floodwaters destroyed temporary access bridges. The ongoing construction of permanent bridges in the villages was halted when Super Typhoon Egay (Doksuri) wreaked havoc in the province in July 2023.
Responders faced challenges in reaching residents in the villages and providing relief, according to Solsona disaster officials, due widespread flooding in the town due to damaged flood control infrastructure. – Rappler.com
