Cagayan Submerged in Floodwaters Due to Typhoon Nika
CAGAYAN – Many areas in the province are submerged in floodwaters following heavy rainfall caused by Typhoon Nika.
The Cagayan River has overflowed, resulting in flooding across barangays in Tuguegarao City and the municipalities of Alcala, Amulung, Baggao, Enrile, and Solana in southern Cagayan. Coastal towns such as Buguey, Gonzaga, and Aparri are also affected, with flash floods in Gonzaga damaging numerous homes due to fast-moving waters.
Several roads throughout the province, including those in Sto. Niño, Baggao, Alcala, Enrile, Piat, Solana, and Tuguegarao City, are now impassable because of rising floodwaters. In Tuguegarao City alone, 21 barangays are submerged, and more than three thousand residents have been evacuated. Evacuations are ongoing as water levels in the Cagayan River, the largest river in the Philippines, continue to rise.
The Provincial Government of Cagayan is closely monitoring the situation and continues to assist residents affected by the flooding. Emergency services are actively providing aid, while local authorities take necessary precautions to protect residents’ safety.
Meanwhile, according to a recent update from PAGASA, Severe Tropical Storm Nika (Toraji) is currently located 225 km west-northwest of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, moving northwest at 10 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 95 km/h and gusts up to 115 km/h. Nika is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) today, continuing to weaken over the West Philippine Sea.
As Nika exits the country, another typhoon, Tropical Storm Ofel (Usagi), is projected to pass near Luzon. Currently located 950 km east of Southeastern Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h and gusts reaching 105 km/h, Ofel is moving northwest at 35 km/h and is expected to strengthen, possibly reaching typhoon status by November 13 or 14. While no wind signals are currently in effect, Ofel is forecast to affect parts of Northern and Central Luzon, with potential landfall by Thursday afternoon or evening.
