Pangasinan placed under state of calamity

A drone shot of the actual rescue operation at Barangay Pangascasan in Bugallon, Pangasinan on Aug 31 2026. MDRRMO BUGALLON PHOTO

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — The entire province of Pangasinan has been placed under a state of calamity as local governments continue to deal with flooding even as the southwest monsoon (habagat) enhanced by Tropical Depression Pilandok threatens to bring more rain over parts western and northern Luzon.

The declaration was made through Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution No. 985-2026, aimed at expediting the provincial government's response to the needs of communities affected by the ongoing calamity.

The declaration will facilitate the delivery of relief, recovery assistance and other necessary interventions to affected towns and cities.

Eight local government units (LGU) had also declared their own states of calamity namely, Infanta, Bugallon, Lingayen, Mangatarem, Bayambang, Sta. Barbara, Mangaldan and Dagupan City.

The provincial government continued to coordinate with the affected LGUs, disaster risk reduction and management offices and other concerned agencies for immediate response and to ensure the safety and welfare of residents.

Pilandok enhances Habagat

The continuing threat of rain comes as Tropical Depression Pilandok remained almost stationary over the northern Philippine Sea Monday.

At 10 a.m., Pilandok was located about 1,160 kilometers east of Extreme Northern Luzon, with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near its center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Pilandok may briefly intensify into a tropical storm on Tuesday, Sept. 1, as it slowly moves.

The weather disturbance, however, is expected to remain far from the Philippine landmass and may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Wednesday.

However, Pagasa said the movement of Pilandok remains highly uncertain.

Pilandok, along with two other tropical depressions over southern China, is enhancing the southwest monsoon, currently affecting Luzon and Western Visayas.

Pagasa said moderate to intense rains may continue over parts of the Ilocos Region and Cordillera through Wednesday noon.

The weather bureau also forecast moderate to intense rainfall over Zambales, Bataan and Occidental Mindoro from Tuesday noon until Thursday noon.

Although Pangasinan was not specifically included in those rainfall areas in the advisory, authorities in the province remain on heightened watch because of the existing flooding situation and saturated ground conditions in several communities.

San Roque Dam closely monitored

Authorities are also closely monitoring water conditions at San Roque Dam, particularly amid continued inflow into the reservoir.

As of 5 a.m. Monday, the dam's water level was recorded at 279.22 meters above sea level, with an inflow of 1,516 cubic meters per second (cms).

The recorded outflow was 279 cms, while low-level outlet discharge stood at 124.59 cms.

No gates were open at the time of the report.

The combination of continuing monsoon rains, already elevated waterways and substantial inflow into the dam has prompted authorities to maintain close coordination with downstream communities and disaster response agencies.

The provincial government, meanwhile, urged Pangasinenses to remain vigilant and closely monitor official weather and flood advisories.

Residents, particularly those in low-lying, flood-prone and landslide-prone areas, were reminded to follow instructions from their respective local governments.

Authorities also advised families to keep emergency supplies ready and to be prepared to evacuate should local officials issue an evacuation order.

With Pangasinan now under a province-wide state of calamity, officials emphasized the need for continued coordination and preparedness as weather conditions remain potentially volatile in the coming days.