Over 6,700 displaced due to Kabayan, shear line —NDRRMC

A total of 6,723 persons or 2,190 families were displaced in CARAGA region due to the combined effects of Tropical Storm Kabayan and the shear line, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Monday.

In its report, the NDRRMC said 6,370 people or 2,072 families of the displaced population were staying in 48 evacuation centers while 353 individuals or 118 families were taking shelter in other places.

At least two houses were reported damaged so far.

Power interruptions were reported in three areas in CARAGA Region.

The NDRRMC also said a seaport in Northern Mindanao has suspended operations due to the bad weather, stranding 124 passengers and three vessels.

Nineteen work schedules and two classes have been suspended in CARAGA and Northern Mindanao, respectively, it added.

A total of 11,729 persons or 3,428 families were preemptively evacuated in CARAGA and Northern Mindanao.

Surigao del Sur Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) said that some of its displaced residents were staying evacuation centers.

“Ang iba po bumabalik na pero ang iba po ay hindi pa kasi nga under pa kami ng Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2,” PDRRMO head Alex Arana told Super Radyo dzBB in an interview.

As of Monday morning, there were 19,362 persons or 5,454 families in 83 evacuation centers in the province, according to Arana.

Red alert is raised in the province, which means authorities will implement forced evacuation, activation of the emergency operation center, “no sail policy”, and “no beach activities policy.”

Before the tropical cyclone, Surigao del Sur has been experiencing a series of earthquakes and aftershocks since the magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Hinatuan on December 2.

Kabayan made landfall in Manay, Davao Oriental, at 9:30 a.m. on Monday. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News