Landslide hits Davao City

DAVAO CITY -- A landslide hit Baguio District on Thursday night following four days of rising river water that flooded houses and properties of residents in 15 barangays in this city.

In an advisory sent through text messages, Joseph Lawrence Garcia, City Information Office (CIO) acting head, said the landslide occurred in Purok 6, Barangay Carmen around 10 p.m. No one was reported hurt as families were evacuated beforehand by a team from Central 911.

The Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (DCDRRMC) operation officer Dante C. Donaire said the residents in the area responded to their call and evacuated to safer grounds.

The City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO) is also coordinating with the DCDRRMC to identify the number of affected families.

CSSDO chief Maria Luisa Bermudo said they do not know yet the number of families affected in the landslide, but she assured that CSSDO will give assistance to the victims.

Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Davao Director Liza Mazo, in a separate interview, said they have yet to receive a consolidated data from the DCDRRMC before they could release the official number of families affected.

DCDRRMC, CSSDO and OCD are also conducting investigation on the flooding in Toril District.

The flood was caused by continuous rainfall that triggered overflowing of the Lubogan, Lipadas, and Tamugan rivers. The barangays affected were Lubogan, Maripangi and Crossing Bayabas.

Water level of Davao River, however, subsided around 2 a.m. of January 25.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (Pagasa) noted on Thursday night a moderate to heavy rainfall over Surigao Del Sur and Davao Del Sur, and light to moderate rainfall over Malaybalay, Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental.

Pagasa said flooding may threaten low-lying areas and those located near the river channels in the city. (Ruji Peter S. Abat/Arianne Caryl N. Casas/Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)