OCD calls for evacuation anew as second strong earthquake jolts Davao Oriental; 1.8M people exposed to tsunami threat
Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Asst. Sec. Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV (Courtesy of OCD)
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has once again urged residents in coastal areas of Davao Oriental, Surigao del Sur, and Surigao del Norte to evacuate to higher ground after another powerful earthquake struck offshore Davao Oriental on Friday evening, Oct. 10, exposing around 1.8 million people in coastal barangays to the threat of a tsunami.
OCD Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said a magnitude 6.9 earthquake was recorded at 7:12 p.m. which prompted the Philippine Institeu of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) to issue a tsunami warning.
The agency warned of possible life-threatening waves exceeding one meter above normal tide levels or higher, particularly in enclosed bays and straits.
“Destructive tsunami is expected with life-threatening wave heights. It is forecasted that the first tsunami waves will arrive between 7:12 p.m. to 9:12 p.m.,” Alejandro said.
The OCD disclosed that the Phivolcs’ tsunami warning has a buffer of two hours.
“These waves may continue for hours,” Alejandro added.
Because of this, the OCD strongly advised residents in the coastal areas of Surigao del Sur, Davao Oriental, and Surigao del Norte to immediately evacuate to higher grounds or move further inland.
“We urge everyone’s cooperation and urge everybody to proceed to their respective evacuation points,” Alejandro said.
The OCD earlier announced the lifting of a tsunami alert related to the magnitude 7.4 quake that struck Manay, Davao Oriental.
Davao Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) Director Ednar said the death toll from the first earthquake has already risen to seven: three from Mati City, three from Pantukan, and one from Davao City.