Vinta brings floods to parts of Mindanao

Tropical Storm Vinta brought flooding to parts of Mindanao.

Among the flooded areas is Davao Oriental, according to a report on Balitanghali on Friday. 

Davao Oriental Governor Nestor Dayanghirang said in an interview on Balitanghali that 3,379 families were evacuated and crops were damaged when Vinta crossed the province. 

Vinta made landfall in Cateel, Davao Oriental early Friday, PAGASA said.

The families preemptively evacuated have been sent home by early Friday afternoon, Dayanghirang said.

"As of now, 'yung 3,379 families na nag-evacuate ay pinayagan na nating umuwi sa kanilang pamamahay dahil sa...lumakas ho 'yung pag-ulan kaninang madaling araw pero hindi naman tumagal ng matagal," Dayanghirang said.

"Continuous pa rin 'yung monitoring namin pero, kung titignan natin, lumagpas na rin ho sa probinsya ng Davao Oriental 'yung  bagyo," he added.

Adding that water levels in the province have begun to subside, Dayanghirang said the local government is mainly monitoring the extent of crop damage left by the severe tropical storm.

Davao City

Meanwhile, in Davao City, over 50 families were preemptively evacuated in anticipation of Vinta.

According to a Balitanghali report by GMA News' Mav Gonzales, the Davao City National Risk Reduction and Management Office (NDRRMO) has advised preemptive evacuation among residents of barangays Matina Crossing, Matina Aplaya, Bucana and Lizada.

"Three of them are coastal barangays so because, strong wind, malakas 'yung alon, we advise for preemptive evacuation just to be sure...Kasi we always (aim) for zero casualty," NDRRMO administrative officer Lyncon Ancajas said.

A severe rainfall warning signal remains raised over the city, as it had been experiencing continuous rain since Thursday night, paired with strong gusts of wind.

Other parts of Mindanao

Aside from Davao, Vinta threatened other parts of Mindanao.

According to a separate report on Balitanghali on Friday, rainfall due to the storm caused water levels to rise in Northern Mindanao, flooding several roads of Cagayan de Oro City's central region.

Cotabato residents were also warned about possible flooding and landslides after it experienced its share of intense rainfall and winds.

Rivers have overflown as far as Calapan, Otiental Mindoro, as well.

Meanwhile, in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, the powerful gusts of wind blew a tree down and destroyed a house.

A Department of Agriculture (DA) program in Davao City was also postponed until the late afternoon on Thursday due to the bad weather.

Tropical Storm Vinta further weakened as it continued its path toward the Misamis Oriental - Zamboanga del Norte area, PAGASA said on Friday afternoon.

According to PAGASA's severe weather bulletin at 2 p.m., Vinta was last spotted at 1 p.m. on Friday in the vicinity of Marawi City with maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 110 kph.

Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 2 remained over Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay. —Margaret Claire Layug/KG, GMA News