The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said at least six people died while almost 100,000 residents were affected by flooding and landslides triggered by the trough of a low-pressure area (LPA) in Davao and Caraga regions.
A situation report from the NDRRMC on Friday, Feb. 2, said a total of 98,793 individuals (27,245 families) felt the impact of deep flooding and multiple landslides in Davao de Oro, Davao Oriental, and Davao City, as well as in Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur.
The Public Information Officer (PIO) of Davao de Oro, said six people died in the province due to landslides and drowning; three each in New Bataan and Maragusan towns.
The NDRRMC tallied 33 landslides in the Davao region, including 26 in Davao de Oro alone. The other seven occurred in Davao Oriental.
“Another one was missing in Pantukan (Davao de Oro), specifically in Barangay Araibo,” Fe Maestre, the Davao de Oro PIO said in a radio interview over DZRH.
The Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) District Southeastern Mindanao (CGDSEM) evacuated over 1,300 residents in Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, and Davao City amid massive flooding in the region.
“As of press time, the PCG continues to monitor the status of rivers in Davao City, particularly at S.I.R. New Matina, where boat trips remain suspended for public safety,” PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armando Balilo said.
PCG was also assisting in ongoing relief efforts in Caraga and Banay-Banay in Davao Oriental. The regions of Davao and Caraga have been experiencing continuous rains since Jan. 29 due to the trough of an LPA.
A total of 46,018 individuals were displaced by the bad weather, according to NDRRMC, and at least 19,000 were staying in evacuation centers.
The NDRRMC said 45 roads and nine bridges in Davao de Oro, Davao Oriental, and Agusan del Sur remained not passable to the public due to flooding and landslides.
In Lupon, Davao Oriental, power interruption was experienced in Barangays Maragatas, Tagugpo, Calapagan, and Poblacion.
Power supply was also not restored in Barangays Basa and Pulang Lupa in Trento, Agusan del Sur.
Portions of Monkayo in Davao de Oro experienced water supply interruption. Monkayo is still reeling from a devastating landslide two weeks ago that killed 11 people.
In Maragusan, Davao de Oro, a landslide damaged an intake box and trapped water hoses in Brgy. New Albay, depriving residents of potable water. In the nearby Brgy. Lahi, a creek overflowed that washed out the water source in the village.
The NDRRMC is yet to release the extent of damage to infrastructure in Davao and Caraga.
However, at least three houses were totally destroyed while four abodes were partially damaged in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur. At least 22 classrooms, and handwashing facilities were also destroyed in Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Sur.
In New Bataan, Davao de Oro, a one-meter river dike situated in Brgy. Magsaysay collapsed after sustaining heavy damage due to severe flooding.
Damage to agriculture is not readily available for both regions.