Power Outages Hit Baguio City and Benguet Amid Emong Storm
Power outages struck parts of Baguio City and Benguet province as early as 2 a.m. on Friday, disrupting lives as Severe Tropical Storm Emong swept through mountain communities in the Cordillera region. The early morning brownouts affected nearly a third of Baguio, cutting power to various neighborhoods.
Fortunately, power was restored by dawn in downtown Baguio and the densely populated areas near the central business district, local electric cooperative officials reported. Meanwhile, other towns in Benguet continued to experience outages.
Widespread Blackouts in Mountain Areas
The Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) said the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines is investigating the cause of the interruptions. As of 5 a.m., power remained out in farming towns such as Atok, Bokod, Kabayan, Tublay, and Mankayan. Some barangays in Buguias and Kibungan municipalities also had no electricity.
Parts of La Trinidad, the capital town of Benguet, were similarly without power. The ongoing storm brought heavy rain and strong winds, worsening the situation for affected communities.
Severe Tropical Storm Emong’s Impact on Cordillera
Most of the Cordillera region was placed under Storm Signal No. 2, with Benguet under a red warning due to intense rains that threatened landslides and flooding. The dangerous weather conditions have raised alarms among local officials.
At 6 a.m., a soil erosion event along Baguio’s Outlook Drive buried four houses. Emergency responders quickly rescued two women trapped inside. The city had already recorded 33 landslides and one sinkhole the previous day.
Ongoing Cleanup and Safety Efforts
On Friday, work crews worked to clear a rockslide at Camp 6 along Kennon Road, near local settlements. These efforts aimed to restore safe passage and prevent further disruptions caused by the storm’s relentless impact.
Local leaders noted the need for vigilance as the storm continues to affect the mountainous region, emphasizing preparedness and swift response to any new hazards.
For more news and updates on Severe Tropical Storm Emong, visit Filipinokami.com.
