THE Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) has been closely monitoring the Davao River for a possible rise in the water level due to Tropical Depression (TD) Samuel.
The weather disturbance entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) Sunday, November 18, 2018.
CDRRMO advised the public to follow instructions and advisories, especially those living near the river, to avoid casualties.
“Atong ginatutukan ang Davao River area kay kani man gud tubig ani gikan man sa Bukidnon ug Davao del Norte (We are monitoring the Davao River since its water is coming from Bukidnon and Davao del Norte),” CDRRMO operations officer
Rodrigo Bustillo said in a phone interview Monday.
He warned that there is a possibility that the Davao River will overflow.
He also said that even if Davao City is not directly hit by the tropical depression, moderate rains may still cause flooding.
Davao City is under alert level one.
“Busa atong gina-remind ang mga tao na kanunay mangandam sa mga advisories (That is why we are reminding the public to be prepared at all times and listen to advisories),” Bustillo said.
Each barangay has its designated evacuation center if the weather worsens.
“Naka-position ang atong different units, mga responders para in case mag escalate, automatic na mag-deploy ta para sa pag-manage sa disaster (We have responders ready to be deployed in case the TD will escalate),” he said.
He also said that there are volunteer responders in each barangay, however, the residents should also do their part.
“Ang rescue, dili gyud na garantiya na maluwas ta (Rescues will never be a guarantee for us to be saved),” Bustillo said, adding that the public should not be complacent with any disaster.