The local government of Zamboanga City is mulling placing the city again under a state of calamity due to the effects of the recent massive flooding.

As of July 16, 2024, more than 4,000 families in the city were affected by the flood while six people have died due to landslides and drowning.

According to the Office of the City Agriculturist (OCA), around 392 hectares of agricultural land were damaged. OCA is still checking the cost of damage to agriculture.

The city government is also assessing the damage to infrastructure, including a riprap at a river in Barangay Tetuan that was damaged during the flooding.

At least five houses were destroyed while 11 others were damaged when the riprap gave in. The local government is set to give assistance to the more than 10 families affected.

Authorities have inspected the area to have the riprap fixed.

“I-che-check namin ito together with the City Engineer’s Office, yung bridge area and then if funds are available, to reconstruct immediately,” Dr. Elmeir Apolinario, head of the Zamboanga City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), said.

Earlier, the city lifted the state of calamity declaration for El Niño.