Davao ready for possible flooding

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – With the rainy season starting to batter Mindanao and with another storm threatening to hit the island, the city government of Davao is mobilizing residents in anticipation of any flashfloods.

The latest weather bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that a Tropical Storm was seen 1,370 km east of Mindanao and is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility tomorrow or early Friday.

Dante Donayre, Development Management Officer of the Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, said that the local government is reaching out to the barangays for preparations for possible disasters.

The residents in the local communities, Donayre said, are the first line of defense during disasters and calamities in the city.

Central 911

He added the present capacity of the city’s Central 911 is inadequate should there be large-scale flooding in different areas in the city.

In partnership with the local communities, the DCDRRMC had initiated training and capability building in every barangay.

“We are now confident to say that the people in the communities are now prepared. They now know what to do in case of flashfloods,” Donayre said.

Considering that information is vital for survival, Donayre said, weather and disaster advisories from PAGASA and NDRRMC are consistently being disseminated to the barangays, most especially to disaster-prone areas.

He advised the residents that they should regularly monitor the water level in the locality.

“If the water level is already high from what is normal, please immediately evacuate. Do not wait for our teams before leaving your homes,” Donayre said.

Donayre also recommended that residents be prepared to have a disaster kit that includes clothing, biscuits, canned goods, radio, battery, water and medicines. – Rappler.com