RIVER waters swelled and strong winds battered trees and vulnerable structures, forcing thousands of families to flee their homes and seek shelter on higher grounds after Tropical Storm Vinta (international codename: Tembin) finally takes its toll in Misamis Oriental province on Friday, December 22.
In Cagayan de Oro City, over 500 families mostly from flood-prone barangays or villages have already evacuated following the announcement that the city is placed under red alert as the Cagayan River reaches its critical level.
The non-stop rains since Thursday have compelled about 3,331 families or more than 11,000 individuals to leave their houses and take temporary shelter at the different evacuation centers in Misamis Oriental province.
Affected towns include Talisayan, Kinoguitan, Binuangan, Salay, Lagonglong, Balingasag, Jasaan, Villanueva, Claveria, Tagoloan, Opol, Alubijid, Libertad, Naawan, Manticao, and Lugait.
"We started the preemptive evacuation since Thursday," said Fernando Dy Jr., head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).
Dy said authorities are also searching for three fishermen from Initao town who failed to return home after sailing the sea last December 20. Missing fishermen were identified as Rudy Jaralta Sr., Rudy Jarlata Jr., and Joseph Lauron.
"We're hoping that members of the Philippine Coast Guard would be able to rescue them," Dy said.
Moreover, rescuers from the PDDRMO have successfully saved at least four siblings from drowning off the raging Tagoloan River.
Dy said they're still awaiting a report on possible damages to infrastructure and agriculture, even as the Provincial Capitol is set to post-assessment after the meltdown of weather disturbance.
Authorities continue to monitor the entire province as displaced families were advised not to go home yet until municipal disaster officers ordered so.
Meanwhile, some flood victims in Cagayan de Oro City have been accommodated by the Provincial Government at the capitol compound.
Governor Yevgeny Emano has directed the social welfare office to attend to the needs of the evacuees such as food and clothings, among others.
For District 1 in Cagayan de Oro, a total of 110 families or 465 affected individuals were recorded, while District 2 has 393 families or 1254 individuals who have sought refuge in their nearest evacuation centers.
In an advisory, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (CDRRMD) reported that the water level of Cagayan River reached 6.6 meters, as of Friday afternoon.
Rescue operations are now ongoing in low-lying areas including the barangays of Carmen, Tablon, Cugman, Gusa, Bayabas and Bonbon.
Even dikes built by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to prevent flooding are of no use as river water now levels to the height of the dike.
Some houses were ruined as flood ravaged through them.
The Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA) announced that Biasong to Tinib road from Bell Church area is impassable to light vehicles, portion of Puerto and Tablon highway, Acacia St at Carmen, and Domingo Velez streets are also impassable to light vehicles.
Authorities are implementing a one-lane traffic scheme along barangay Cugman bridge after a reported crack, while the Ysalinna Bridge has been closed to all vehicles as flood threatens to overflow it.
The city is currently experiencing nonstop rains since Thursday. (SunStar Cagayan de Oro)