CAMP ROMUALDO C. RUBI, Butuan City – Agusan del Sur was placed under a state of calamity on Wednesday, January 31, following non-stop downpour that has displaced 9,875 families or 34,947 individuals in 45 barangays the (villages) in the province and Surigao del Sur.

Provincial board member Edwin “Cox” Elorde on Thursday, February 1, said the province was placed under a state of calamity during the emergency session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan at the provincial capitol in Patin-ay, Prosperidad.

The Office of Civil Defense-13 said affected individuals were sheltered in 36 evacuation centers in Agusan del Sur, particularly those in the province’s second district, and one evacuation center in Surigao del Sur. Other flood victims sought refuge with their relatives and friends.

The OCD-13 stated that two houses were totally damaged by flash flood and one partially in the town of Bunawan in Agusan del Sur.

Affected families in Agusan del Sur were from the towns of San Francisco, Rosario, Bunawan, Trento, Veruela, Loreto, Santa Josefa, San Luis, and Talacogon and some parts in Prosperidad, Esperanza, and Sibagat.

OCD-13 Regional Director Liza R. Mazo appealed to the people of Caraga, particularly those living in low-lying areas and riversides, to be watchful and implement preventive measures.

“If possible, flee in safer area to avoid being hit by any untoward incident cause by flash flood,” said OCD-13 spokesperson Ronald Brion, quoting Mazo.

OCD-13 said continuous rains in Caraga since last month caused the number of flood victims to swell, particularly in Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur.

Flood water in almost all the tributaries of the mighty Agusan River, including the Simulao River, in the upper stream of the Agusan River is already on critical level and threatens to overflow.

Six roads in Bunawan are reportedly impassable as of posting time.

Department of Public Works and Highways-13 Regional Director Engr. Pol M. delos Santos said on Thursday that road disturbance in some areas due to soil erosion or collapse had been cleared and these roads are already passable.

The approach of the Bislig City bridge in Surigao del Sur is only one lane passable as ground works are still ongoing by disaster and rescue teams of the DPWH.

“All roads in Northeastern Mindanao, particularly national roads, are passable, despite continuous rains,” Delos Santos said. “My instruction to our district engineers and project engineers that economic flow (roads) must not be disturbed and immediate action must be implemented in any reported road disturbance.”

Caraga region is under “Blue” alert status due to continuous rains Thursday from the low-pressure area (LPA) and the northeast monsoon or “amihan.”