MORE than half of Masantol town's barangay were flooded as of Thursday morning, July 22, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) reported.

According to MDDRM Officer Paul Magat, 18 out of the 26 villages, mostly those situated along the Pampanga River, were experiencing flooding of up to 1.5 feet.

Flooded barangays include San Isidro Matua, Sta. Lucia Matua, Sta. Lucia Wakas, Sta. Lucia Paguiaba, Sta. Lucia Anac, San Nicolas, Sto. Niño, Bebe Anac, San Agustin, Sua, Palimpe, Bebe Matua, Alauli, Balibago, Bagang, Sagrada, Nigui, and Sapang Kawayan.

"This is caused by continuous monsoon rains enhanced by Typhoon Fabian combined with high tide level and water coming from the upstream," Magat said.

Meanwhile, two major roads, namely, Kalsadang Bayu and Sto. Niño-Bebe Anac Road, were not passable to light vehicles.