DAVAO CITY – Moderate to heavy rain since Tuesday, January 30, triggered flooding and landslides in the Davao region on Wednesday, January 31.
A BRIDGE was damaged in Barangay San Roque, New Bataan, Davao de Oro due to rampaging flood caused by heavy rain. (Photo courtesy of Rep. Marica Zamora Facebook page)
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration announced that the northeast monsoon, locally known as “amihan,” will dampen many parts of Mindanao due to the trough of the low-pressure area.
The State weather bureau warned that serious flooding and landslides are expected in low-lying areas and mountainous areas of Agusan del Sur, Davao City, Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, Davao Oriental, and Surigao del Sur.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office has ordered pre-emptive evacuation of riverside communities in Barangay Tamugan since the Davao River was already beyond critical level around 3 p.m. on Wednesday.
The CDRRMO also ordered a pre-emptive evacuation of riverside communities in Barangay Bunawan since the Bunawan River was already at critical level and gradually increasing.
The provincial governments of Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, and Davao del Sur have suspended classes on all levels in public and private schools.
Work in most government and private offices was suspended as well and have shifted to work-from-home arrangements.
Several road networks in Davao de Oro and Davao Oriental were rendered impassable due to landslides.
In Compostela, Davao de Oro, landslides blocked the highway that links the town to Cateel in Davao Oriental.
Serious flooding was reported in Compostela, Montevista, Monkayo, Nabunturan, and New Bataan in Davao de Oro.
The Department of Public Works and Highways-Davao reported that the Bangoy Bridge on the Compostela-New Bataan Road is impassable to all types of vehicles after the abutment was damaged anew.
“The travelling public is advised to take crossing Blanco, Barangay Osmeña Road, Compostela-Barangay Katipunan, New Bataan-Barangay Cogonon, New Bataan Road,” DPWH-Davao said.
Landslides and flooding were also reported in road networks in Baganga, Caraga, Cateel, and Lupon.
In Panabo City in Davao del Norte, a portion of Barangay Santo Niño was submerged in flood due to continuous rain.
Most of these areas are still reeling from the impact of the severe flooding less than two weeks ago due to shear line.
The Provincial Information Office of Davao Oriental reported that evacuation was conducted in Gov. Generoso due to critical water levels in Barangays Surop, Osmeña, Tandang Sora, Crispin dela Cruz, Oregon, Poblacion, and Don Chicote.