DAGUPAN CITY, Oct 12 (PIA)  -  Heavy rains and strong winds pummelled Pangasinan early Tuesday morning as Severe Tropical Storm ‘Maring’ (Kompasu)  passed by extreme Northern Luzon.

The Pangasinan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management  Office (PDRRMO)  reported that some 286 individuals and 92 families were initially evacuated as flood waters rose in seven towns.

As of the 5 am report, these towns include: San Fabian (Brgy Nibaliw Narvarte and Cayanga), Bolinao (Concordia and Arnedo), Binalonan, San Nicolas, Laoac, San Jacinto and Bani. 

In Dagupan City, the City DRRMO advised motorists to avoid some main through fares at around 5 am as the streets became unpassable to light vehicles due to  Typhoon Maring and triggered by high tide. 

Before noon time, however, water has subsided along AB Fernandez-MH Del Pilar, Tapuac and Perez roads and Rizal and Rivera streets, except for Herrero Street and AB Fernandez West which are still unpassable. 

Power and communication lines remain uninterrupted in the province as of press time.

Governor Amado Espino III earlier issued PDRRMC Memorandum  No. 05-2021 suspending classes in all levels and work in government offices and agencies, except those involved in disaster response.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development assured enough supply of family food packs for affected residents in Region 1.

Regional Director Angela Gopala said DSWD has stock on-hand of 22, 897 family food packs for the region and is currently purchasing 30,000 more for replenishment. 

in Pangasinan, DSWD have prepared stocks of food packs in its warehouses located in Rosales (1,000 packs), Sta. Barbara (1,985) , Alaminos City (188) and Lingayen (2,000).

“Maliban sa food packs, nakahanda na rin ang ating mga non-food items tulad ng family kits, hygiene at sleeping kits para sa ating mga apektadong kababayan,” Gopala said during the press conference on Typhoon Maring arranged by the Philippine Information Agency. (JCR/VHS/PIA Pangasinan)