By Aaron Recuenco and Ellalyn de Vera-Ruiz

At least two people died while thousands of people were affected by severe flooding in eight towns of Cagayan province due to heavy rains spawned by severe tropical storm “Quiel.”

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration’s (PAGASA) has upgraded Quiel from tropical storm to severe tropical storm category with maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kph.

It could further intensify into a typhoon, with maximum wind speed of 118 to 220 kph, within 48 hours, however it remains less likely to make landfall in any part of the Philippines.

Rogie Sending, public information officer of Cagayan Provincial government said the two fatalities died due to drowning and a landslide that occurred in Claveria town.

Based on the report of the local Office of Civil Defense, the two victims were 10-year-old Eljhay Dallego of Claveria town who drowned in a flashflood that hit their barangay; and, 36-year-old Augusto Achagan, also of Claveria town.

“It has been raining here for three days now. At least eight municipalities are currently affected by flooding,” said Sending on Thursday.

On Thursday morning, Quiel developed into a severe tropical storm and dumped more rains in Cagayan Valley region and nearby areas.

Based on the local OCD data, a total of 854 families or 3,520 persons were affected by the flooding in 40 barangays of Cagayan.

The affected areas are five barangays in Sanchez Mira, 13 barangays in Pamplona, 13 barangays in Allacapan, one barangay in Baggao, eight barangays in Lasam, three barangays in Lal-lo, and two barangays in Camalaniugan.

The worst-hit area is the town of Claveria where 39 barangays are submerged in flood.

At least 18 roads in those eight towns are not passable to vehicles due to flooding, the report read.

As a result of the flooding, seven towns in Cagayan already ordered the cancellation of classes since Wednesday. On Thursday, the Cagayan State University also suspended classes.

Meanwhile, PAGASA advised that aside from the trough or extension of Quiel, the tail-end of cold front and localized thunderstorms may trigger flash floods or landslides during the occurrence of severe thunderstorm activities in the entire country.

Between Thursday and Friday morning, PAGASA said light to moderate with occasional heavy rains may affect Cagayan including Babuyan Islands and Apayao.

Light to moderate with intermittent heavy rains will affect Kalinga, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, Zambales, Bataan, Palawan, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Antique, Iloilo, and Guimaras.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country may experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers due to localized thunderstorms.

Sea travel remains risky, especially for small sea vessels, over the northern and western seaboards of Luzon due to rough sea conditions triggered by Quiel and the tail-end of cold front.

PAGASA weather specialist Loriedin dela Cruz said Quiel will likely be outside the country’s area of responsibility by Saturday.

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