AT LEAST 25 households in Poblacion, Initiao, Misamis Oriental were affected by a storm surge caused by the southwest monsoon or Habagat which hit the town, Thursday, July 12.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported that 24 houses were partially damaged after the houses were submerged in waist-deep water as of 9:23 a.m., yesterday.
Another house was washed out and totally destroyed.
PDRRM officer Fernando Dy Jr. said affected families had packed up some of their belongings prior to their evacuation.
The disaster office of Initao town has began assessing the situation so the local government unit and the Capitol can extend assistance to the affected families.
In Jasaan town, some 19 families in the coastal portion of barangay Bobontugan went out of their houses for a while due to big waves and storm surge.
Another storm surge hits barangays Baluarte and Gracia in Tagoloan where a cottage was destroyed.
Governor Yevgeny Emano also ordered the PDRRMO to keep monitoring the entire province due to the bad weather.
Emano directed the disaster offices to stay alert and prepare for response efforts.
"All DRRM Offices and all CMDRRM Officers are continously monitoring their respective area of responsibilities (AORs) and were already informed or advised to monitor low-lying and flood-prone barangays as well as landslide-prone areas. PDRRMO on monitor and on- standby,"Dy said.
Both lanes of the road in Sta. Ana, Tagoloan going to Malitbog, Bukidnon were closed due to a landslide around 8:00 a.m. It became passable to vehicles around 10:15 a.m.
The non-stop downpour yesterday morning forces several towns in the province to suspend classes.
Classes in all levels are suspended in Jasaan, Manticao, Claveria, Libertad, Naawan, and Initao; and high school and elementary levels in Opol, Tagoloan, Lagonglong, and Balingasag while private schools in Gitagum cancelled their classes.
No one was hurt and no floodings were reported except storm surges in some coastal areas of the province.
Dy said the bad weather may last until Monday, July 16.