1,615 evacuated due to downpour

THOUSANDS of individuals dwelling in floodprone areas in Davao City were displaced and temporarily evacuated following hours of heavy downpour Monday evening.

Office of Civil Defense (OCD 11) spokesperson McAdrian Cubero told SunStar Davao yesterday that based on the data of the Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC), they recorded a total of 366 families or 1,615 individuals who were evacuated due to flood.

He added that the affected areas were Matina Aplaya, Matina Pangi, and Matina Crossing. Evacuees, however, have returned to their respective houses after the flood subsided at dawn.

Yesterday morning, Bunawan highway was impassable as it remained flooded well into the morning, causing a traffic build-up and disallowed early morning travel to Davao del Norte. Vehicles were only able to pass through when the waters subsided by mid-morning.

Cubero advised the public to take precautionary measures and be extra vigilant and alert all the time.

Meanwhile, Davao City Mayor Sara Dutert-Carpio said food assistance in emergencies for disaster

risk reduction and mitigation through the mobile kitchen or Kusina ng Bayan will be implemented. This will be facilitated by the City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO).

"This project is intended to provide quick hot meals for the victims who are tired and hungry and in need of immediate relief with cooked food," she said.

She added that the Disaster Funds Investment Plan is being discussed with the City Council committee on appropriations and will be available before the year ends. JCR

IVY C. TEJANO FLOODED. A street in NHA Bangkal is already knee-high by midnight yesterday, prompting residents to venture out to safer grounds. NHA Bangkal is known to be flood-prone as the Pangi River runs around it.