Flood warning center urges Pampanga residents to be news updated

By Aurora Catu

Friday 3rd of August 2012

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Aug 3 (PIA) -- The Pampanga River Basin Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (PRBFFWC) is constantly advising the public, especially those residing in low-lying areas near the Pampanga River, to be always updated on news for their safety.

“They should always be updated on the recent information,” said PRBFFWC Assistant Weather Services Chief Hilton Hernando.

He also wants the public to totally stop dumping their wastes in the river.

Hernando said the water level in the river continues to rise and decline due to various factors.

“The first factor is the continued rainfall, second is the high tide, and third is the water coming from other places like Nueva Ecija,” Hernando said.

Based on the PRBFFWC flood bulletin as of 5 a.m. today, flood is still possible within the next 24 hours in low-lying areas near Rio Chico and Guagua River, Pampanga river’s tributaries.

As for the persistent flood in the Candaba swamp, the flooding since Monday, Hernando said, is caused by water coming from other areas such as the Sierra Madre Mountain range.

To keep everyone updated, the agency follows the protocol on sending updated bulletins to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD).

The national offices will then pass the information to regional offices, until the data reaches municipal, city, and barangay level. (RMB/ATC-PIA3)