Zamboanga City declares state of calamity

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (UPDATED) – The Zamboanga City council has approved a recommendation to place the city under a state of calamity due to massive flooding caused by 3 days of non-stop rain brought about by typhoon “Lawin.”

This allows the city to use calamity funds in repairing infrastructure destroyed by the floods. Classes in schools used as evacuation centers also remain suspended.

Based on the CDRRMC report on September 24, at least 12 out of 98 barangays (villages) have been submerged in flood, displacing more than 1,000 families:

• Labuan
• Patalon 
• Sinunuc
• San Jose Gusu
• Baliwasan
• Sta Cruz Island Zone 4
• Vitali
• Tictapul
• Mangusu
• Boalan Divisoria
• Tugbungan
• Lanzones

Neck-deep floods in Barangay Tugbungan and many other villages have forced residents to seek refuge in 9 evacuation centers across the city. 

In Barangay Labuan, 5-year old Mark Anthony Mallari died after he was struck by a falling tree. 

Rescue operations are ongoing in the flooded areas, according to authorities.

Floods in Zamboanga del Norte

Meanwhile, many towns in Zamboanga del Norte have also been flooded, including Siocon, where nearly 4,500 families have been affected.

In Barangay Bitali, Siocon, rushing floodwaters reached roof level, washing away many houses.

Typhoon “Lawin” (international codename Jelawat) enhanced the southwest monsoon that continued to bring moderate to heavy rain in Mindanao.

The weather bureau said that rain is expected to continue in Zamboanga City until Friday, September 28.

“Moderate to strong winds blowing from northeast to northwest will prevail over northern and eastern Luzon and eastern Visayas and coming from the west to southwest over the rest of Visayas and Mindanao,” said in its latest bulletin issued at 5 pm on September 24. – Rappler.com