DAVAO CITY – The Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Davao on Friday, Dec. 27, warned of possible landslides in the region due to heavy rains from the Intertropical Convergence Zone weather system since Thursday, Dec. 26.
MUNICIPAL Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office personnel attend to the needs of displaced residents in Malita, Davao Occidental. (MDRRMO Malita)
The MGB issued the warning as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration placed Davao region under yellow warning where moderate to heavy rains are expected due to ITCZ and shearline.
The Office of Civil Defense-Davao reported that flooding and landslides have affected at least 3,000 persons from several municipalities in the provinces of Davao Occidental, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental.
In a public advisory addressed to the mayors in the region, the MGB warned that flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible due to ITCZ especially in areas that are highly to very highly susceptible to these hazards.
“Areas identified by this office as highly to very highly susceptible to flood and landslide should be closely monitored before, during, and after heavy and or continuous rainfall. Relocation is recommended as a long-term strategy. In the meantime, pre-emptive evacuation is highly recommended during periods of continuous rainfall,” MGB said.
The agency urged local government units to refer to geohazard maps.
It added that residents and assets are also threatened by landslides even if their barangays are not included in the listing shown the geohazard maps.
The OCD reported 205 families or 903 individuals were displaced from three barangays in Malita, Davao Occidental and 10 families from San Isidro town in Davao Oriental as of 6 a.m. Friday.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office in Davao Occidental reported that the Lais Bridge on the Davao-Sarangani Coastal Road is now passable. The highway was closed to motorists after a flash flood on Thursday night damaged the bridge's approach.
The OCD reported that landslide and rockfall occurred Thursday evening on Badas Zigzag Road in Mati City, Davao Oriental. While the road is passable, the OCD advised the motorists to proceed with caution.
“Preemptive and forced evacuations were carried out in the affected barangays, particularly in Malita, Davao Occidental, and San Isidro, Davao Oriental. The Davao Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) has provided immediate relief assistance to families inside the evacuation centers,” the OCD said.