DAVAO CITY – The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Glan in Sarangani has acknowledged that preemptive evacuation on July 10 saved the lives of residents in Barangay Mudan and Padidu from a flash flood on July 11.

MDRRMO Assistant Operations chief Daniel Nocos said in a phone interview that barangay officials conducted preemptive evacuation during the onset of heavy rains on July 10.

Nocos said people of Barangay Mudan fled to higher grounds as they anticipated that rivers would swell amid heavy rains.

He said the flash flood was triggered by the collapse of artificial dams that formed due to landslides from the earthquake last June 8.

“We have been monitoring the situation since the heavy rains started last week. And we were wary that it might collapse and result in massive flooding whenever heavy rains continue,” Nocos said.

Nocos said the flash flood has affected at least 150 families. But Barangay Mudan Chairman Jolita Embajador said that at least 400 families have been affected by the flash flood.

Nocos said that the MDRRMO is verifying how many houses were damaged in the flash flood. He said that dozens of houses were totally damaged and by the flash flood. Residents said flood water was over 10 feet deep in some areas.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued a yellow rainfall warning on July 10 for Sarangani due to the enhanced southwest monsoon or habagat. PAGASA warned of moderate to occasionally heavy rains that may bring flooding in low-lying areas and landslides in mountainous terrains.

Nocos said that the local government is not yet allowing residents to return to their homes as it is still monitoring the situation of artificial dams.

Vice Mayor Victor James Yap Jr. only a portion of the artificial dams collapsed on July 11 that resulted in flash flood.

Nocos said that the local government is monitoring the artificial dams that were formed in four barangays in Glan. In Mudan alone, three artificial dams are being monitored as it may collapse and trigger another flooding.

“We cannot drain these artificial dams right now because of the weather, it’s been raining for days. Also, we are considering the conditions of the mountains and roads going to these areas because some have tension cracks or are landslide prone already after the earthquake,” Nocos explained.

Meanwhile, Yap said that they have distributed relief assistance to affected residents. Local officials are appealing for more help such as food, water, clothing, tents, and hygiene kits.

Mudan and Padidu were among the 31 barangays in Glan still reeling from the impact of the earthquake. Glan is the most heavily affected town in Sarangani due to its proximity to the offshore epicenter.