‘Be vigilant,’ Caraganons told
BUTUAN CITY – After incessant rains caused heavy floods in Cagayan de Oro City, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) in Caraga called on the general public here to be vigilant over possible flooding and flash floods, especially those living in low-lying areas and on the banks of waterways.
The RDRRMC also advised different city, provincial and municipal DRRMCs spread all over Caraga region to be on “alert” and ready for quick response in the event of any calamity that could be caused by floods or landslides.
Caraga is composed of the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur. Also under its jurisdiction are the cities of Bayugan, Bislig, Butuan, Cabadbaran, Surigao and Tandag.
The action monitoring center of RDRRMC said Caraganons should continuously be guided by the weather forecast coming from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) for them to take the necessary precautionary measures.
RDRRMC added that the local DRRMCs were also advised to closely follow up development through the weather advisory.
Yesterday, the state weather agency said that “cloudy skies with moderate to occasional heavy rains with thunderstorms that will trigger heavy rains and landslides will be experienced over Northern Mindanao and the Visayas regions.”
Meanwhile, the regional office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) here deployed more quick response teams for repair of damaged roads, particularly pot holes caused by continuous rains in various parts of the region.
“Since typhoon Auring struck Caraga region, we already mobilized all disaster response teams from the different district engineering offices in the region to immediately attend on reported damaged roads and landslides,” DPWH 13 Regional Director Engr. Danilo E. Versola told Manila Bulletin yesterday.
Close to 1100 million irrigation facilities and rice lands were destroyed while more than 10,000 farmers, particularly in Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Sur and Agusan del Norte were badly affected since typhoon “Auring” struck Caraga region on January 8.