Calls for help from Cagayan Valley made rounds on social media overnight as locals pleaded for rescue from life-threatening floods spawned by Typhoon Ulysses and the northeast monsoon.
The hashtag #CagayanNeedsHelp trended on Twitter as netizens urged the national government to quickly act on the plea of trapped residents. Photos showed people trapped on their roofs, as what happened in Marikina City and Rizal province.
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Nicole Irene Torrado, a resident of Alcala, Cagayan told reportr that floods in some areas have totally submerged houses.
"We are in dire need of help as most of the towns are submerged in water higher than their roofs," she said.
"May mga abot na po sa bubong ang tubig yung iba po lampas tao na," she added.
Aside from rescue, Torrado said victims need basic necessities such as food, water, and dry clothes.
Floods worsened in Cagayan since the Magat Dam in the region had to release water after reaching a critical level due to persisting rains following Typhoon Ulysses.
Vice President Leni Robredo, who has been updating the public on rescue efforts since Friday night, said air assets would be deployed Saturday morning to boost rescue efforts.