DIGOS CITY -- Some 300 families fled from their flooded homes after Caños River overflowed Sunday, June 28.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Center (CDRRMC) thus raised the alert level following Mayor Josef Cagas's directive to rescue stranded residents who failed to evacuate due to the sudden rise of floodwaters.
A continuous heavy downpour hit the entire province of Davao del Sur since Sunday afternoon, leaving Digos City severely affected after a portion of the dike around Caños River was also damaged.
Houses in Barangays Ruparan, Igpit, Dawis, Sinawilan, Barangay Zone 1, Cogon, Aplaya, and Kapatagan were affected by neck-deep floodwater, which swept most of the residents' belongings.
The hanging bridge connecting Sitio Riverside and Sitio Sto. Niño in Barangay Ruparan was also reportedly destroyed.
CDRRMC Officer-in-charge Samuel Miralles said a total of 235 families evacuated to Digos City gymnasium, while 66 families are currently taking shelter at the Digos City National High School Gym.
In an initial CDRRMC report, 301 families are temporarily housed in evacuation centers.
Miralles, however, bared there was no injury or casualty reported due to the massive flooding that gravely affected low-lying areas in the city.
A social media post showed Claom family sleeping atop their roof after floodwaters entered their house.
Some motorists were also stranded as the bridge and highway were impassable.
Cagas, for his part, ordered the immediate distribution of relief assistance to the flood victims including blankets and mats, among others.
He also ordered residents situated along riverbanks to voluntarily vacate their homes amid the bad weather condition that the city is experiencing.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said in an advisory that parts of Davao Region will continue to experience localized thunderstorms that would bring in heavy rains that started since June 27.