The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) rescued more than 2,000 families or more than 8,000 individuals from 15 barangays amid the overflowing of some major rivers in the city on Wednesday, January 31.
The floods were triggered by the heavy rains brought about by the Trough of the Low-Pressure Area.
“Out of 15 barangays, naa ta’y 2,423 families ang na-record sa rescue operations sa CDRRMO kauban ang augmentation sa uniformed personnel (Out of 15 barangays, 2,423 were rescued through the operations of the CDRRMO augmented by uniformed personnel),” Baloran said.
He said that as of Thursday morning, no reports on casualties or injuries due to flooding or landslides have been received by their office.
The CDRRMO advised pre-emptive and mandatory evacuations due to the increasing level of water in major rivers as early as Wednesday afternoon. As of 9:37 am on February 1, 2024, the Lasang and Bunawan rivers were monitored to be at a critical level but subsiding. The Talomo and Davao rivers were placed under code orange (warning level) but gradually subsiding, and the Lipadas and Matina rivers were on safe levels.
Due to the floods, pre-emptive evacuation was voluntarily done by residents in the previously landslide-hit area in Tigatto. At least 21 families (89 individuals) left their homes for safety.
For the flooding, Baloran said that while a majority took heed of the pre-emptive and mandatory evacuation, some unfortunately did not follow and underestimated the rise of the water.
He reiterated that people should take advisories seriously.
“Kita man nakahibalo unsa ang kakusog sa tubig (Our office knows how strong the current would be),” Baloran said, adding that they use river cameras to monitor the headwaters.
Baloran also said that since there are still rivers at critical levels and rainy weather may still be experienced within the city or neighboring cities, those in evacuation areas should wait for the signal that it is already safe for them to return home.
“Since naa pa’y tubig sa dagkong sapa, mag-amping ta kanunay. Ang uban mamugos og balik sa ilang balay para manglimpyo. Hulaton nato ang mando nga safety na nga mubalik kay gina monitor pa nato ang tubig kung naa na sa safe level. (Since major rivers are still swollen, we should stay safe. Some may insist on returning to their houses to clean up. We should wait for the advisory that it is already safe to return because we keep on monitoring the water if it is already at the safe level),” Baloran said.
Taking the PAGASA forecast on possible rain showers in the city into consideration, Baloran advised Dabawenyos to prepare rain protection gears and to take heed of their advisories. CIO
