Over 25,000 affected by Davao flooding

Karlos Manlupig

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

At least 13 barangays suffered flooding and classes will be suspended on Monday

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – More than 25,000 residents in Davao City were affected by flooding after a major river overflowed on Saturday night, January 19, submerging houses near the riverbanks.

Jeffmore Capin, 4th year Electrical Engineering student at the University of Mindanao, narrated that he just arrived in his boarding house outside his school at around 11 pm when he saw the Davao River starting to overflow.

He decided to sleep, thinking that the river would immediately subside like their previous experiences, even if the boarding house is only 10 m away from the riverbank.

“When I woke up at around 5 am, I was shocked that the water has already reached the roof of the houses near our boarding house. We were in the second floor so we [were] safe,” Capin said.

Capin commented that the advisory to evacuate have not reached them, so they did not leave their homes when the water was just starting to rise.

“When we woke up we had no more chance to evacuate,” Capin said.

The city’s Central 911 unit declared that a warning was issued as early as 8.30 pm on Saturday.

When a team from the local police force passed by his boarding house using a small boat, Capin climbed down from the balcony and was rescued.

“I cannot go home to Panabo City because my parents told me that our village was also flooded. I would temporarily stay with my friend and continue attending my classes on Monday,” he said.

No casualties reported

At least 13 barangays along the Davao River suffered flooding.

Maria Luisa Bermudo, City Social Services and Development Office chief, said that over 25,000 residents were affected.

More than 10 houses were also damaged or swept by the floodwaters, Bermudo said, but there are no reported casualties as of posting time.

The local government has already delivered hot meals for the residents taking temporary shelters in numerous evacuation centers.

“We would also immediately deliver relief goods today,” Bermudo said.

Davao City mayor Sara Duterte also declared a suspension of classes from kindergarten to high school on Monday, January 21.

Combined forces of the local government, police, military and volunteers are still conducting rescue operations in affected areas. – Rappler.com

Related story:

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!