Thousands affected by flooding due to easterlies in Davao City

Thousands of people in Davao City fled their homes due to flooding caused by the easterlies and localized thunderstorms, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Friday, Nov. 10.
Heavy rains began since Nov. 8 and persisted until Nov. 9 which prompted the evacuation of 399 families composed of 1,251 individuals in five villages namely Talomo Proper, Maa, Sto. Niño, Bago Aplaya, and Bago Gallera.
Also flooded were five more barangays including Catalunan Pequeño, Matina Crossing, Matina Aplaya, Dumoy, and Baliok.
On the wee hours of Nov. 9, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said its Coast Guard Station Davao received a distress call from Davao City Central 911 requesting an immediate emergency response to evacuate residents in Bago Galera and Bago Aplaya.
Accordingly, the heavy rains caused the Talomo-Lipadas River to overflow.
At least 28 individuals from the two barangays were rescued due to chest-deep floods, the PCG said.
"The victims of the flooding incident were then turned over to the appropriate agency for debriefing and proper medical assessment," PCG spokesperson Rear Adm. Armand Balilo said.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that easterlies, or the warm winds coming from the Pacific Ocean which bring humid weather, and localized thunderstorms may affect parts of the country which could result to flash floods and landslides.