108 families in Davao flee homes

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

DAVAO CITY – The heavy downpour experienced in this city Monday night left more than 500 individuals evacuating to safer grounds as water level near Balusong Bridge in Matina Crossing reached to eight-feet high.

Monday's heavy downpour was brought by a weather disturbance sighted last Friday by the weather bureau.

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Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DCDRDMC) radio operator Melina Isidro said the heavy rains, which lasted for almost six hours, flooded most areas in southern part of the city and affected 108 families.

One of the areas that DCDRMC closely monitored last Monday was the Matina area, particularly along major river systems, including Matina Aplaya and Matina Crossing.

Isidro said heavy downpour started as early as 7:20 p.m., prompting the water level in Balusong Bridge to rise. In other areas, rains started to pour as early as 5 p.m.

Residents near Balusong Bridge were advised to evacuate and move to safer grounds at 10:35 p.m. Some sought temporary shelter at the barangay hall.

"Normal naman hinuon ang level sa tubig karon, wala man puy reported na casualty (The water level as of Tuesday morning has already subsided and no casualty was reported)," Isidro said.

Most streets, also in the downtown area, had been flooded, leaving hundreds of Dabawenyos stranded for several hours.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Davao, meanwhile, warned Dabawenyos Tuesday of the new weather disturbance sighted in the eastern part of Southern Mindanao.

The new low pressure area (LPA), which is expected to affect Davao Region, including Davao City, will bring heavy rains that may trigger flash floods and landslides.

Ben Rosales, Pagasa Davao weather observer, said they still cannot determine the possibility of the new LPA to develop into a more severe weather disturbance.

Although the LPA would not enhance into a cyclone, it could still bring downpour that could trigger landslides and flash floods, Pagasa said.

"Mag-ulan lang gihapon diri sa Dabaw kay magdala man gihapon ni ug ulan (But this will still bring rains here in Davao City)," Rosales said.

As this developed, local disaster risk and management councils were advised to take necessary measures to warn communities in low-lying areas and near river banks.

In it 5 p.m. weather bulletin Tuesday, Pagasa said that as of 2 p.m., the LPA was estimated at 790 kilometers east southeast of Southern Mindanao.

Small vessels are still discouraged to sail during bad weather, Rosales said. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)