Fresh flooding hits northern Philippines, inundating towns as dams release excess water

Fresh flooding hits Philippines after days of rain

MANILA, Philippines — Officials say fresh flooding has hit about 30 towns in the northern Philippines, sending residents fleeing to rooftops and scrambling for safety. The floods came after dams released excess water from recent heavy rains.

Pangasinan provincial Vice Governor Marlyn Premicias said Friday that she was getting frantic text messages from residents asking to be rescued. The San Roque dam released water along the Agno River on Thursday night, inundating 30 out of 46 towns in the coastal province.

Forecasters say Tropical Depression Parma is still lingering off the northeastern coast, dumping rains overnight. It’s the second major storm to hit the country in two weeks. Storms and flooding have killed more than 300 people since Sept. 26.