Northern Philippines Hit by Devastating Floods After Typhoon and Dam Release, Thousands Displaced*

MANILA, Nov 19 — Floodwaters up to 4 meters high inundated thousands of homes in northern Philippines today after Typhoon Man-yi triggered heavy rains and a dam release, causing rivers to overflow. The release of water from Magat Dam, combined with already-saturated land from previous storms, worsened the flooding along the Cagayan River, affecting tens of thousands in Cagayan province and beyond.

Tuguegarao city saw floodwaters submerging buildings, trees, and lamp posts, with some areas reporting water levels as high as 14 feet. Provincial disaster official Ian Valdepenas explained that the flood worsened as water was released from the dam, exacerbating already heavy rainfall from the weekend storm.

Man-yi, the sixth major storm to hit the country in a month, has left at least 171 dead, displaced thousands, and destroyed crops and livestock. In Isabela province, around 30,000 people are still affected, but the situation is slowly improving. Authorities expect floodwaters to fully subside in the next few days.

More than a million people evacuated ahead of the typhoon, which weakened as it moved inland, but not before claiming at least eight lives. Despite ongoing challenges, local officials remain hopeful that conditions will improve in the coming days as floodwaters begin to recede.