A total of 2,441 families or 7,046 individuals have evacuated their homes across Zambales amid continued heavy rains and flooding, according to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).
Of the total, 1,621 families or 4,706 individuals remained in evacuation centers, including barangay halls, schools and government facilities, as of 3 p.m. Monday.
Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. also ordered the preemptive evacuation of residents in Barangay San Juan, Botolan, after inspecting a damaged portion of the Bucao River Dike, which protects at least six barangays from the lahar-filled river. Repair and remedial measures are underway.
The number of evacuees steadily rose from 1,279 families on August 9 to 2,441 families the following day as flooding intensified.
Meanwhile, floods have damaged 163.32 hectares of rice farms, affecting 151 palay farmers and causing an estimated ₱1.3 million in losses.
Initial crop damage was reported in:
- Subic | 2.2 hectares — ₱11,058
- San Antonio | 4.79 hectares — ₱31,142
- Botolan | 60.09 hectares — ₱390,451
- Iba | 8.5 hectares — ₱25,608
- Candelaria | 11.55 hectares — ₱207,951
- Sta. Cruz | 138.93 hectares — ₱640,125
The PDRRMO said flooding began forcing residents to evacuate as early as August 5 as heavy Habagat rains affected low-lying communities across the province.
Fishing equipment was also damaged, including two bancas and five fishing nets, with combined reported losses of ₱30,500.
