Residents living along riverbanks in Davao City safely returned to their homes late Saturday night after they were evacuated due to rising water levels caused by heavy rainfall, the City Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) reported Sunday morning.
Disaster officials confirmed that floodwaters in Matina, Talomo, and Lasang Rivers, which had reached critical levels earlier, had subsided.
The CDRRMO ordered the preemptive evacuation of residents around 7 p.m. Saturday after the rivers were placed under red, orange, and yellow alert levels. By 11 p.m., the situation had stabilized, allowing evacuees to return home.
Other rivers, such as Lipadas and Davao, remained at safe levels (green code), while Bunawan and Licanan Rivers experienced slight increases in water levels by early Sunday.
“We thank the Dabawenyos for their cooperation and immediate compliance with preemptive evacuation orders and safety protocols during the flooding incident,” said CDRRMO chief Alfredo Baloran in a statement.
“Your compliance with the law is a significant factor in ensuring everyone’s safety during flooding incidents,” he added.
Localized thunderstorms triggered the heavy rains, leading to temporary closures of Balusong Bridge and Relief Bridge connecting Matina Aplaya to Bangkal. Motorists were advised to use Coastal Road and Diversion Road as alternate routes. Both bridges reopened by midnight after floodwaters receded.
Evacuation centers in Matina Crossing, Aplaya, and Pangi provided shelter, hot meals, and medical assistance to displaced residents.
The City Social Welfare and Development Office (DSWD), City Health Office, and CDRRMO worked together to ensure their needs were met during the brief evacuation period.
Mayor Sebastian Duterte commended the CDRRMO and other agencies for their swift response and diligent monitoring of the situation.
Davao City remains on alert for potential localized thunderstorms as weather conditions persist. Residents are urged to stay vigilant and follow safety protocols in case of emergencies.
