Crising hits Pablo-affected areas; 1 dead, thousands evacuated due to floods

As it headed toward Palawan early Wednesday, Tropical Depression Crising left several areas of Mindanao flooded, including places that were hit by Typhoon Pablo last December. Floods were chest-deep in at least three barangays in Baganga, Davao Oriental, according to a report on GMA News' Kape at Balita on Wednesday. At least 100 families were evacuated, while 500 families were affected, the report said. Relief operations were hampered by the strong rain and lack of equipment, according to a report on Unang Balita on Wednesday. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), about 16,700 families were affected in Regions X and XI, which covers several provinces in eastern and southern Mindanao. "Nagkaroon tayo ng mga affected barangays at nagkaroon tayo ng mga kababayan na dinala natin sa evacuation centers," NDRRMC Executive Director Eduardo del Rosario said in an interview on GMA News' Talakayan with Igan on Wednesday. Last December, Baganga was one of the towns hit hardest by Pablo, as several areas were not immediately accessible to relief and medical supplies because of damaged roads and bridges. In Tarragona, Davao Oriental, those living near the Baguan River were evacuated, as they feared the river would overflow. In Davao City, residents of Barangay 19B were also evacuated when the swollen Davao River flooded settlements along the riverbank. Crising also affected North Cotabato, where strong rains fell and caused poor visibility along the National Highway in Makilala town at around 6 p.m. Tuesday, the Kape at Balita report said. Slippery roads also caused vehicular accidents, the Unang Balita report said. Meanwhile in Surigao City, large waves hit the boulevard. Several areas in the city had almost zero visibility due to the strong rain, the report said. Some areas in Valencia City, Bukidnon were also flooded after three days of rain. "So far ang naitala natin, may isang namatay sa New Bataan o Compostela Valley province at apat ang injured o nasugatan sa Lanao del Norte," Del Rosario said on Talakayan with Igan. The fatality was identified in a previous report as Francisco Digaynon Jr., who drowned while trying to cross a local river in New Bataan. Del Rosario said the government is in the process of relocating families out of danger zones. He said the national and local government are coordinating their efforts for a comprehensive land use plan, so that residents in low-lying areas can be relocated to safe areas. "Ipapasok natin dito yung mga geohazard assessment para kinukuha natin ang statistics o scientific data kung saan sila dapat magtayo ng bahay o magconstruct ng mga buildings na hindi nakatapat sa mga flood-prone areas or fault lines ng earthquake," he said. He added that there will be a national summit in March on coordinated action for disaster and risk reduction management. By Thursday morning, PAGASA said Crising is expected to be 280 km southwest of Puerto Princesa City. As of 11:30 Wednesday, Southern Palawan and Zamboanga del Norte were under Storm Signal No. 1. Storm warning signals in other areas had been lowered, PAGASA said. "Residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas under Storm Signal No. 1 are alerted against possible flash floods and landslides," PAGASA said. — Carmela G. Lapeña/BM, GMA News