Family dies in ComVal landslide

A FAMILY of four died in a landslide incident on January 14, 2017 in Tandik, Maragusan, Compostela Valley Province after heavy rains poured due to the tail-end of a cold front.

It also triggered widespread flooding that displaced several families in Davao Region.

Based on the initial report from Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) Compostela Valley, the landslide happened at around 8:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Office of Civil Defense (OCD 11) regional director Leoncio Cirunay further identified the fatalities as Ramon Magallanes, 29;

22; Hazel Magallanes, 3 years old; and Joey Magallanes, one year old.

The bodies of the fatality were recovered at around 10:30 p.m. The landslide was triggered by the series of incessant rain in the area.

The victims’ house was located near the landslide prone and far-flung area in Compostela Valley. Their house was buried by the toppled soil.

Meanwhile, there are areas in Compostela Valley that were affected by flashfloods including Compostela, Monkayo, Montevista, Nabunturan and New Bataan and so, local executives suspended the classes.

Cirunay said that in Davao Region, two provinces were affected including Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental, three municipalities and five barangays.

A total of 100 families or 388 individuals were taking temporary evacuation in seven evacuation centers. As of yesterday afternoon, evacuees are still in the evacuation centers as water level has not yet subsided.

Based on the Heavy Rainfall Warning No. 2A of the weather state bureau, issued at 9:20 p.m. on January 14, 2018, a yellow warning was issued in Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte( Tubay, Butuan), Davao Oriental, ompostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao City, Bukidnon (Cabanglasan, Valencia, Don Carlos, Kibawe, Malaybalay City), Sultan Kudarat (Lutayan).

Also in Zamboanga del Norte (Baliguian, Siocon, Sirawai, Sibuco), Zamboanga Sibugay (Kabasalan), Zamboanga del Sur (Bayog) where flooding is possible especially in low-lying areas specially along river channels.

On one hand, weather advisory No. 2 issued yesterday, January 15, 2018 for Tail-End of Cold Front will bring moderate to heavy rains over the provinces of Masbate, Albay, and Sorsogon. Meanwhile, the trough of the LPA will also bring moderate to heavy rains over Palawan and the regions of Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Davao and Caraga.

The residents were advised to take precautionary measures against possible landslide and floods.