4 rivers overflow, flood villages in Davao Norte

DAVAO CITY -- Three rivers triggered flooding in eight barangays in Kapalong town while another flooded villages in Carmen and Tagum City, all in Davao del Norte, following two days of heavy rains.

Water from Liboganon, Semong and Kipaliko rivers in Kapalong flooded barangays Suaon, Mabantao, Capungagan, Maniki, Gabuyan, Katipunan, Tiburcia and Florida.

Kapalong municipal administrator Gaspar Balinggao said floodwaters started to rise around 3 a.m. Wednesday, prompting residents living near the swollen rivers to flee their homes.

As of noon Wednesday, Balingao placed the total damage to crops and livestock at more than P2 million. The amount is expected to go up. He said 328 hectares of banana plantation were affected.

The Bingcungan River also flooded a village in Carmen and two in Tagum City.

Kapalong Mayor Edgardo Timbol confirmed that Kapalong town was placed under state of calamity, but he was quick to add that floodwaters started to subside Wednesday afternoon.

The disaster body in Davao del Norte also said some areas in Tagum City and the towns of Carmen, New Corella, Asuncion and Sto. Tomas were also flooded.

DAVAO. A "pot-pot", Kapalong town's version of a trisikad, continues to ply the street in hopes to pick up some passenger along the way even as the main street in front of the Municipal Hall is already flooded. (Contributed photo)

There was no reported casualty although floodwaters rose to as high as seven feet, particularly in Mabaus village in Carmen town, after the Bingcungan River also overflowed.

Barangays San Miguel and Pagsabangan in Tagum City were also submerged by floodwaters.

Balingao said affected 385 families are temporarily housed at Maniki Central Elementary School.

The Municipal Government deployed a monitoring team and the Kapalong Rescue and Emergency Services to assist in the distribution of relief goods and medicines to the evacuees.

Timbol also appealed for assistance, saying there is an urgent need for more food, water, clothing and medicines for the evacuees.

The Provincial Government of Davao del Norte also deployed the Reactive Disaster Responders Search, Mobilize and Rescue Team to save residents trapped in their homes, particularly in barangays Florida and Capungagan.

Acting Governor Victorio Suaybaguio Jr. already instructed Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management action officer Sonio Sanchez to closely monitor ground activities and coordinate with all volunteer rescue teams. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)