Over 3K residents evacuate in Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon due to Agaton

A total of 3,347 individuals have evacuated in Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon province due to rain-induced landslides, and flooding caused by Tropical Storm Agaton, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Sunday.

In a Super Radyo dzBB interview, NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Timbal noted that even before Agaton entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), floods and landslides had been reported in several areas in Mindanao due to heavy rains.

“Sa natanggap nating ulat, umabot po ng 3,347 na katao ang nagsilikas mula sa iba’t ibang lokasyon diyan sa Cagayan de Oro City at sa Bukidnon province. Tuloy-tuloy din naman ang pagtulong ng local government units sa kanila,” he said.

(We received reports that up to 3,347 people from various locations in Cagayan de Oro City, and Bukidnon province were evacuated, and that local government units continue attending to evacuees needs.)

He reminded residents living in landslide and-flood-prone areas to follow the advisories released by the local government units (LGUs), and to immediately evacuate if they were told to do so as to avoid accidents.

Aside from Region 10, Timbal said evacuations were also reported in the BARMM and Caraga regions in the previous days due to flooding and landslides.

Moreover, he said there were no major untoward incidents and deaths recorded, so far.

“So far, wala pa tayong major untoward incidents na natanggap [we have not received any major untoward incidents.]

“Meron tayong natanggap, injury lang naman po na nabalita dahil siguro sa pagbaha" (we hace received reports of some casualty, but only an injury due to the flooding), he added.

Timbal also said relief goods provided in evacuation centers were still from the LGUs, and the supplies from regional and national DRRMC offices are on standby.

As of 8 a.m., state weather bureau PAGASA said the following areas are under TCWS No. 2:

• southern portion of Eastern Samar (Guiuan, Mercedes, Salcedo, Quinapondan, Giporlos, Balangiga, Lawaan, General Macarthur, Hernani, Llorente, Balangkayan, Maydolong, Borongan City);
• southern portion of Samar (Marabut, Basey, Calbiga, Pinabacdao, Villareal, Santa Rita); and
• northeastern portion of Leyte (Babatngon, Tacloban City, Palo, Tanauan, Tolosa)

TCWS No. 1 was hoisted over:

• rest of Eastern Samar;
• the rest of Samar;
• Northern Samar;
• Biliran;
• the rest of Leyte;
• Southern Leyte; and
• northeastern portion of Cebu (Daanbantayan, Medellin, Bogo City, Tabogon, Borbon) including Camotes Islands.

—LBG, GMA News