LOOK: Over 200 families evacuated in Davao City due to flooding

EVACUATION. Rescuers bring children out of a flooded area in Ma-a, Davao City, on January 23, 2019. Photo from Davao CIO

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Emergency responders have evacuated over 200 families from several flooded communities near the Davao  River, city officials said on Thursday, January 24.

In a report, the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) said  torrential rains brought by a low pressure area caused Davao River to swell, affecting  this city's hinterlands and prompting the forced evacuation of families in affected communities on Wednesday, January 23.

SAFETY. FIRST A rescue worker carries a baby to dry ground. Photo from Davao CIO

The evacuees were temporarily sheltered at the  Doña Pilar Elementary School and the covered gym of Maa Elementary School.   

On Wednesday, city authorities issued a Code Orange warning as floodwaters rose to waist-deep levels in areas such as Barangay Ma-a.

"Floodwaters reached the Maharlika Highway in Barangay Inabanga and Lasang. Task Force Davao and Emergency Response Company have been disptached to assist affected residents," the CDRRMO said in its report.

On Thursday morning, hundreds of commuters heading out of or to the northern areas of Davao City such as Panabo and Tagum cities got stranded in Barangay Lasang as the national highway got flooded too.

FLOODING. Floodwaters from the swollen Davao river had spilled into the Maharlika highway in Ma-a. Photo from Davao CIO

"The Search and Rescue Teams of DCPO, Davao City Mobile Force Company, and personnel from police precincts of San Pedro, Talomo, Sta Ana, Buhangin, Toril, Sasa, and Bunawan were deployed to assist their respective Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management units," the CDRRMO said.

The CDRRMO said it had not received reports of any casualty from the floods so far.

Jefry Tupas, the city information officer, said the city government had also dispatched mobile kitchens to the affected areas. 

TEMPORARY SHELTER. Evacuees gather at the Ma-a gym. Photo from Davao CIO

Last year, the Department of Public Works and Highways-Davao Region said the city's flood woes were being addressed.

DPWH Davao Region spokesperson Dean Ortiz said in  July 2018 that a total of P2.9 billion worth of drainage and flood control projects would be implemented in the city, and that some of the projects started last year.

Ortiz said then that the city government had come up with a plan and that it had also identified high-priority areas. These included the improvement of the drainage on J.P. Cabaguio Avenue and the rehabilitation of the Agdao Creek, among others.  

He had also said that the DPWH would install pumping stations to help address the flooding. – Rappler.com