AROUND 3,500 families evacuated in Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro due to the incessant rains that caused swelling of rivers resulting in floods and landslides.
The non-stop rains were spawned by Tropical Depression Agaton, which turned into a low pressure area Monday but still lingers in Mindanao.
In Cagayan de Oro, the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) reported around 2,234 families or 9,517 individuals who are seeking refuge in the evacuation centers in the city’s villages.
Barangay Bonbon recorded the highest number of evacuees, with 283 families who stayed at the Bonbon Elementary School and SM Car Park.
Barangay Carmen had 265 evacuees who temporarily moved to West City Central School.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) downgraded the code red alert to orange Tuesday afternoon as the weather improved with intermittent showers and overcast skies.
In Misamis Oriental, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) reported that around 1,332 families or 6,207 individuals took shelter in the province’s 49 evacuation centers for safety.
PDRRMC recorded three casualties in the province, while four persons went missing until at present. Two persons were injured and eight individuals were rescued by the PDRRMC rescue team.
Houses and landslides
The PDRRMC also recorded 14 houses destroyed, while 62 damaged in 41 villages.
Meanwhile, the CDRRMC noted six landslides while PDRRMC recorded seven.
The CDRRMC noted 30 families of 118 individuals who are affected by the landslides.
The PDRRMC noted the first landslide in Barangay Libon, Gingoog City last Sunday, while the second happened in Barangay Rosario, Tagoloan in Misamis Oriental.
Another landslide took place Monday in Gingoog affecting barangays Pangasihan and Anakan.
Impassable
The Provincial Government listed seven bridges damaged while some roads in the city’s hinterland communities are impassable.
Christine Cabiasa, provincial information officer, said four-wheeled vehicles still cannot pass the Mambayaan Bridge in Balingasag town whose approach or abutment broke, rendering the bridge impassable until Tuesday.
However, Cabiasa said the provincial engineering office is doing its best to remedy the situation so people and motorcycles can pass through.
Sandra Flores, information officer of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Northern Mindanao, said that as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, four-wheeled vehicles cannot pass through the bridge.
Flores added that an alternate route via the municipalities of Villanueva, Claveria and Gingoog City is also impassable because of the landslides.
Cabiasa added that a bridge in Gingoog, Magsaysay, Manticao and the Mandangwa bridge, all in Misamis Oriental, were either destroyed or damaged.
In Cagayan de Oro City, the road from Barangay Pigsan-an to Tumpagon and a road in Dansolihon leading to sitio Macupa, Eba, Botay, Bato, Pulang Lupa and Balungkot remained impassable as of Tuesday.
Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City declared resumption of classes in all levels today, January 22.