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State of calamity declared in towns across Mindanao; at least 14 people dead
(Updated 9:25 p.m.) A state of calamity has been declared in several towns in Mindanao as heavy rains continue to pound the southern region and Visayas, while at least 14 people have been killed in the floods and landslides triggered by the downpour.
Davao del Norte's capital, Tagum City, and the towns of Carmen, Kapalong, and New Corella were placed under a state of calamity Monday, according to a report on "24 Oras."
A state of calamity was earlier declared in Butuan City and in the town of San Francisco in Agusan del Sur.
The rains have been brought on by a low-pressure area in the region since last Friday. The LPA is currently east of Dipolog City, according to PAGASA's 5 p.m. update Monday.
Davao del Norte's capital, Tagum City, and the towns of Carmen, Kapalong, and New Corella were placed under a state of calamity Monday, according to a report on "24 Oras."
A state of calamity was earlier declared in Butuan City and in the town of San Francisco in Agusan del Sur.
The rains have been brought on by a low-pressure area in the region since last Friday. The LPA is currently east of Dipolog City, according to PAGASA's 5 p.m. update Monday.
Casualties and missing persons
In its 7 p.m. update Monday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) counts 14 dead, 34 injured and 14 missing in Davao Region and Caraga.
The deaths counted so far are:
According to the NDRRMC, a total of 40,610 families or 199,212 persons in 190 barangays in 46 municipalities in 10 provinces of Regions X (Northern Mindanao), XI (Davao Region) and CARAGA have been affected by the bad weather.
Zero casualties so far in Davao del Norte
Despite flood waters being deep enough to drown in areas like New Corella, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) Asst. Provincial Administrator Romulo Tagalo said predictability in water movement allowed the province to prevent casualties in the area.
"We know kung tataas, ilang oras bababa ang tubig from the highlands. The early warnings are all in place. The people positively responded to the call for preemptive evacuation," he said.
Chest-high waters from the overflow of Tuganay and Bingcunan rivers remain in municipalities like Carmen, whose residents have set up tents on defunct bridges until the waters subside.
"Carmen is below sea level. 'Pag nagback-up ang dagat 'pag high tide, the water from the sea comes back. Kaya it prevents the outflow of the rainwater sa mga rivers natin," said Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario.
Del Rosario also said that the province has zero casualties so far.
Knee-high floods have also closed Miranda Bridge, which directly connects Carmen to Tagum City. As a result, the one-way Maharlika Bridge was opened to two-way traffic, despite residents being forced to walk through floodwater already present in the area.
Classes suspended in Caraga, Davao Region
The Philippine News Agency reports that the Department of Education suspended classes at 12:15 p.m. Monday in all levels in Compostela Valley, Dinagat Islands and in Bayabas, Surigao del Sur.
Classes in pre-school to high school levels were suspended in Davao del Norte, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur.
Roads impassable in Caraga, Davao Region
For its part, the Department of Public Works and Highways said the rains have rendered some roads in Caraga and Davao Region impassable.
It said its office in Caraga reported landslides, road slips and floods, including along the national highways. Some roads were temporarily closed to public traffic.
The DPWH said the roads rendered impassable due to major landslides included the following roads in Surigao del Sur:
The Asuncion – San Isidro – Laak-Veruela Road in Davao del Norte and the Payasan – Los Arcos road in Agusan del Sur are also impassable.
Some roads were flooded in at least 0.3 meter of water, including the following in Surigao del Sur:
Several roads in Agusan del Sur were also under water, including:
Problems in Yolanda-hit areas
According to another report on "24 Oras", the continued rains hampered efforts by local health units to curb problems like diarrhea among Typhoon Yolanda victims in Tacloban City, Leyte. Fogging and clearing operations were also suspended, heightening the residents' susceptibility to chikungunya and dengue. Four clinically-confirmed cases of measles have also been reported to health authorities.
"There are lots of people na bumalik from Manila to Tacloban and... possibly some of them already have the virus in their system na pwedeng [nakahawa]. Kasi airborne, 'di natin masasabi," said Dr. Gloria Fabrigas, health cluster head of Tacloban City. However, she added, there is no reported outbreak of the virus in the city.
In Ormoc City, water levels in the Pagsanghan River reached critical levels, causing local government units to launch the forced evacuation of 20 adults and 25 children on Sunday evening. While forced evacuation isn't enforced in Tacloban, authorities have opened the Tacloban Astrodome to those who wish to evacuate.
Passengers stranded in Bicol
In Bicol, boat passengers were stranded due to the bad weather, according to the Philippine Coast Guard in a post on its Facebook account.
"A total of 171 passengers were stranded at the port of Coast Guard District Bicol particularly in the area of Camarines Sur as of 2 PM, January 13, 2014," it said. — Rie Takumi/BM/JDS, GMA News
In its 7 p.m. update Monday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) counts 14 dead, 34 injured and 14 missing in Davao Region and Caraga.
The deaths counted so far are:
- 1 due to drowning in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur
- 1 due to drowning in Babag, Compostela Valley
- 3 due to landslide in Bango, Compostela Valley
- 1 due to landslide in Monkayo, Compostela Valley
- 1 due to drowning in New Bataan, Compostela Valley
- 5 due to landslide in Bangol, Tarragona, Davao Oriental
- 1 due to landslide in Tubaon, Tarragona, Davao Oriental
- 1 due to drowning in Marayag, Lupon, Davao Oriental
According to the NDRRMC, a total of 40,610 families or 199,212 persons in 190 barangays in 46 municipalities in 10 provinces of Regions X (Northern Mindanao), XI (Davao Region) and CARAGA have been affected by the bad weather.
Zero casualties so far in Davao del Norte
Despite flood waters being deep enough to drown in areas like New Corella, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) Asst. Provincial Administrator Romulo Tagalo said predictability in water movement allowed the province to prevent casualties in the area.
"We know kung tataas, ilang oras bababa ang tubig from the highlands. The early warnings are all in place. The people positively responded to the call for preemptive evacuation," he said.
Chest-high waters from the overflow of Tuganay and Bingcunan rivers remain in municipalities like Carmen, whose residents have set up tents on defunct bridges until the waters subside.
"Carmen is below sea level. 'Pag nagback-up ang dagat 'pag high tide, the water from the sea comes back. Kaya it prevents the outflow of the rainwater sa mga rivers natin," said Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario.
Del Rosario also said that the province has zero casualties so far.
Knee-high floods have also closed Miranda Bridge, which directly connects Carmen to Tagum City. As a result, the one-way Maharlika Bridge was opened to two-way traffic, despite residents being forced to walk through floodwater already present in the area.
Classes suspended in Caraga, Davao Region
The Philippine News Agency reports that the Department of Education suspended classes at 12:15 p.m. Monday in all levels in Compostela Valley, Dinagat Islands and in Bayabas, Surigao del Sur.
Classes in pre-school to high school levels were suspended in Davao del Norte, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur.
Roads impassable in Caraga, Davao Region
For its part, the Department of Public Works and Highways said the rains have rendered some roads in Caraga and Davao Region impassable.
It said its office in Caraga reported landslides, road slips and floods, including along the national highways. Some roads were temporarily closed to public traffic.
The DPWH said the roads rendered impassable due to major landslides included the following roads in Surigao del Sur:
- National Road Junction (NRJ) Cuevas – Bislig Road
- Junction Gamut – San Miguel-Bayugan Road
- SDCR – Mahayahay, Bislig City
- SDCR – Nurcia Section
The Asuncion – San Isidro – Laak-Veruela Road in Davao del Norte and the Payasan – Los Arcos road in Agusan del Sur are also impassable.
Some roads were flooded in at least 0.3 meter of water, including the following in Surigao del Sur:
- National Road Junction (NRJ) Cuevas – Bislig Road, Sta. Maria Section, submerged in 1.50 meters of water
- SDCR – San Vicente Barobo Section, 1 meter
Several roads in Agusan del Sur were also under water, including:
- NRJ Barobo – Agusan del Sur Bdry. Road, 1.2 meters
- NRJ Awa-Lianga Road, Anibongan Section, 1 meter
- Agusan-Davao Road, Bunawan Brook, 1 meter
- near Solibao Bridge, 0.8 meter
Problems in Yolanda-hit areas
According to another report on "24 Oras", the continued rains hampered efforts by local health units to curb problems like diarrhea among Typhoon Yolanda victims in Tacloban City, Leyte. Fogging and clearing operations were also suspended, heightening the residents' susceptibility to chikungunya and dengue. Four clinically-confirmed cases of measles have also been reported to health authorities.
"There are lots of people na bumalik from Manila to Tacloban and... possibly some of them already have the virus in their system na pwedeng [nakahawa]. Kasi airborne, 'di natin masasabi," said Dr. Gloria Fabrigas, health cluster head of Tacloban City. However, she added, there is no reported outbreak of the virus in the city.
In Ormoc City, water levels in the Pagsanghan River reached critical levels, causing local government units to launch the forced evacuation of 20 adults and 25 children on Sunday evening. While forced evacuation isn't enforced in Tacloban, authorities have opened the Tacloban Astrodome to those who wish to evacuate.
Passengers stranded in Bicol
In Bicol, boat passengers were stranded due to the bad weather, according to the Philippine Coast Guard in a post on its Facebook account.
"A total of 171 passengers were stranded at the port of Coast Guard District Bicol particularly in the area of Camarines Sur as of 2 PM, January 13, 2014," it said. — Rie Takumi/BM/JDS, GMA News
