200 people evacuated due to Zambales floods

OLONGAPO CITY– As many as 200 people were moved to various evacuation centers in three towns of Zambales province due to southwest monsoon rains that were intensified by Typhoon Butchoy (Nepartak) as it sped to Taiwan, local officials said.

They compose 51 families residing in in low-lying areas in nine villages in the towns of San Antonio, San Felipe, and San Narciso, according to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC). Most of the villages were submerged in as deep as 3 to 4 feet of floodwaters. The water in the Namatacan Dike in San Narciso town had reached critical levels as of 8 a.m. while strong water currents damaged the Gabor Dike in San Felipe before noon, PDRRMC reported.

Zambales Gov. Amor Deloso suspended classes in all levels in the province. The inclement weather also caused power interruptions in the towns San Felipe and Palauig. Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino suspended government work and classes in all levels in the city.