‘Ulysses’ wrathIt was during the downpour by Ulysses on Wednesday that caused some 20 rivers to swell and fill up the Cagayan River, causing massive flooding and landslides in Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela and Cagayan provinces. The Cagayan River, which is also known as Rio Grande de Cagayan, is the longest river and largest river by discharge volume of water in the Philippines with a total length of approximately 505 kilometers and a drainage basin covering 27,753 square kilometers. Engineer Carlo Ablan, NIA-Mariis Flood Forecasting and Instrument Section head, said the Magat River system, whose water was impounded at the Magat Dam reservoir, is one of 20 Cagayan River’s tributaries. The other Cagayan River tributaries that largely contributed to the swelling of Cagayan River were the rivers of Diduyon, Addalam, Dabubu, Dibuluan, Dumatata, Ganano, Diadi, Disabungan, Ilagan, Bintacan, Tumauini, Pinacanauan de Cabagan, Pinacanauan, Mallig, Sifu, Taotao, Pared, Chico and Dummon. Many villagers in 156 villages from 24 towns and in Tuguegarao City were trapped on their rooftops, which have become their temporary shelters.

Source: Manila Times November 14, 2020 16:18 UTC