Forced evacuations, canceled flights as Agaton batters many areas in Mindanao

(Updated 2:10 p.m.) Inclement weather in many areas in Mindanao over the past few days has resulted in forced evacuations and canceled flights, with at least one province in the CARAGA Region declaring state of calamity.

Agusan del Norte was placed under a state of calamity Monday while morning flights to Butuan City were canceled due to bad weather conditions brought by Tropical Depression Agaton (Lingling), according to a report on state-run Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

The PIA report said the declaration of a state of calamity stemmed from floods in most parts of the province.

Record flooding was reported in Butuan, where parts of the Agusan River swelled to 4.2 meters.

In a report on radio dzBB, Surigao del Sur authorities said they have implemented forced evacuations of individuals in critical areas.

“May mga identified kaming mga island na apektado, so si Mayor, nag-forced evacuation, then preventive evacuation dun sa mga dwellers along the shoreline dun sa mga barangay namin,” said Engr. Josephine Lacepero, an official of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.

Flooded shelters in Yolanda-hit areas

Areas hit by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) which caused devastation in November were not spared from Agaton.

Thousands of people housed in tents and shelters had to be evacuated due to flooding.

Many such tents in Guian, Eastern Samar—the first town to be hit by Yolanda—have collapsed under the weight of the heavy rain, international NGO Oxfam reported.

“People are struggling to find places that are warm and out of harm's way,” said Justin Morgan, country director of Oxfam in the Philippines. “More were made homeless in the Philippines by Typhoon Haiyan than by the 2004 Asian Tsunami and with only three out of 32 evacuation centres remaining in Guiuan following Typhoon Haiyan, this is a disaster on top of an already catastrophic disaster.” 

Morgan appealed for more help to raise funds for construction materials.

“Emergency shelters are struggling to withstand the extreme weather we’re experiencing in the Philippines,” said Morgan. “In one of the most disaster prone countries in the world, it’s critical we quickly provide safe homes and build quality evacuation centres for those continuing to live in dangerous and difficult locations. 

Over 700,000 people affected

The NDRRMC said over 723,000 people have been affected by Agaton, with the amount of damage pegged at P328.814 million as of Monday.

 

In its 6 a.m. update, the NDRRMC said Agaton—which state weather forecasters earlier said may linger in the Philippine Area of Responsibility for at least three more days—had also caused 40 deaths and 65 injuries. 

Agaton weakened late Monday morning and became a low-pressure area, said PAGASA as reported by GMA's Balitanghali.

 

At least seven people remain missing in Agaton's wake, NDRRMC said.

 

The NDRRMC said Agaton has so far affected 153,193 families or 723,517 people in 781 barangays in 102 towns in 15 provinces of Regions 10, 11, Caraga and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Evacuation

 

Of these, 25,495 families or 119,605 people were displaced and are staying in 352 evacuation centers.

But the NDRRMC admitted some residents still refuse to evacuate, Balido said.

 

Damage was estimated at P328,814,336.92, including P125,383,750 in infrastructure and P203,430,586.92 in agriculture.

 

At least 59 roads and 24 bridges remained impassable in Regions 8, 10, 11 and Caraga.

 

Some 711 houses were destroyed while 1,076 more were damaged.

At least 5,000 stranded

 

The NDRRMC also estimates 5,000 stranded passengers were affected by Agaton.

 

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard said 42 vessels and 34 motor bancas were not allowed to sail along with 607 rolling cargoes.  — Patricia Denise Chiu/KG/KBK, GMA News