FLASHFLOODS AND EARTHQUAKE ravege Batangas; Panic among Citizens and call for help dominates mainstream media

 

Did you know that earlier in Batangas and neighboring provinces, heavy winds, rain, and earthquakes arise at the same time?

According to Phivolcs, a magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck off the coast of Batangas province early Saturday morning.

At 4:49 a.m., a tectonic tremor struck. At a depth of 116 kilometers, approximately 16 kilometers southwest of Calatagan town.  

The earthquake jolted citizens awake in Metro Manila, Cavite, Tagaytay, and adjacent areas, while monsoon rains continued to drench sections of Luzon.  

Minutes after the original quake, a 5.5-magnitude aftershock struck 12 kilometers southwest of Calatagan.  

As seen in images from Lubang Mayor Michael Orayani, the quake damaged houses in Lubang Island, Occidental Mindoro.

Meanwhile, the quake shook bottles off shelves at a convenience shop, according to photos from the Calatagan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.  

Phivolcs has recorded 16 minor shocks in the same location since 7 a.m., ranging in size from 1.7 to 3.  

According to Phivolcs, the quake is unlikely to cause a tsunami that would endanger Philippine seaside areas.  

Following the main quake, the following intensities were felt in these places, according to the agency's bulletin:  

* Intensity V - Calapan City and Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro; Sablayan and Magsaysay, Occidental Mindoro; Carmona and Dasmariñas City, Cavite

* Intensity IV - Quezon City; Marikina City; Manila; Makati City; Taguig City; Valenzuela City; Pasay City; Tagaytay City, Cavite; Batangas City and Talisay City, Batangas; San Mateo, Rizal

* Intensity III - Pasig City; San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan

Instrumental Intensities:

* Intensity V - Calapan City & Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro

* Intensity IV - Batangas City, Batangas; Carmona, Cavite; Calumpit & Plaridel, Bulacan

* Intensity III - Quezon City; Marikina City; Pasig City; Las Piñas City; Muntinlupa City; Malabon City; Navotas City; San Ildefonso, Pandi, Malolos, San Rafael, and Marilao, Bulacan

* Intensity II - San Juan City; Dagupan City; Polillo, Quezon

* Intensity I - Guinayangan, Quezon; Magalang, Pampanga; Iriga and Sipocot, Camarines Sur; Daet, Camarines Norte; Palayan City, Nueva Ecija; Iloilo City; Kalibo, Aklan; San Jose City, Antique; Bago City, Negros Occidental

Residents in the affected area are advised to be calm and vigilant at all times, as more aftershocks are possible.