Mother, child die after wall collapses in Angeles City, Pampanga
MANILA, Philippines – A mother and child died in Barangay Pampang, Angeles City, Pampanga on Wednesday morning, July 24, after the walls of their house collapsed due to soil erosion near the swelling Abacan River, the Angeles City Police Office said.
Dimple Soreso and her daughter Joy were brought to Rafael Lazatin Memorial Hospital but were declared dead on arrival, local police reported.
The father in the family survived and was treated in the same hospital.
The incident happened amid the heavy rain due to the southwest monsoon which was intensified by Super Typhoon Carina.
Following the incident, Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. ordered a forced and immediate evacuation of families residing beside creeks.
As of Wednesday evening, 39 families, or 130 individuals, have been sent to the city’s main evacuation center in Barangay Mining, where doctors from the city health office have also been deployed.
“The Abacan surprisingly swelled, maybe because the rain didn’t stop. So we evacuated [the residents],” Mayor Lazatin told Rappler.
The city government remains on alert as the heavy downpour poses threats of further landslides and flooding.
Officials also continue to closely monitor the water level of the Abacan River, including the creeks.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has suspended work in government offices and classes at all levels in Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and Metro Manila.
Bookmark and refresh this page to get the latest weather updates, as well as information on relief efforts and the damage caused by Carina and the southwest monsoon. – with reports from Joann Manabat/Rappler.com