Floodwaters subside in some parts of Mindanao

(Updated 2:08 p.m.) Floodwaters have started to subside in some parts of Mindanao after a weekend of torrential rains causing floods and landslides, a television report on Tuesday said.

 

“Medyo nag-subside na ‘yung tubig [baha] but definitely marami pang evacuees na 'di pa bumabalik sa kanilang bahay,” Compostela Valley Governor Arturo Uy said in an interview aired on GMA News TV’s “News To Go.”

 

Compostela Valley is one of the areas hit hardest by heavy rain from a low-pressure area (LPA). The provinces of Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Davao del Norte, and Davao Oriental were likewise affected by the weather disturbance.

 

“Ang pinakamataas [na lebel ng baha] talaga ay noong Sunday. Kahapon nag-subside na, at ngayon nag-subside uli. [Pero] meron pang lugar na 'di pa pwedeng balikan nung [mga evacuees dahil mataas pa ang tubig],” Uy said.

 

Intermittent rains are still occurring Tuesday, he added.

 

In Davao del Norte, floodwaters previously neck-deep or higher have subsided to knee-deep level. 

 

In some parts of Davao del Norte and Agusan del Sur, power was intentionally shut down to prevent electricity-related injuries.

 

Some residents of Agusan del Sur have yet to come home as they are still monitoring whether the water in Agusan Marsh would overflow, which may cause floodwaters to rise again.

 

Meanwhile, in Dinagat Islands, six people were reported dead after a landslide occurred in their area. The victims purportedly were just inside their house when a landslide toppled their home.

 

Comparison to Typhoon Pablo

 

According to Gov. Uy, the level of floodwaters due to the LPA this year was relatively higher compared to that one due to Typhoon Pablo (Bopha), the strongest typhoon that hit Mindanao in 2012.

 

“Unusual sa pagtaas [ang tubig] although binabaha naman tayo dati, pero 'di gaano. Pinakamataas ito ngayon. Mas mataas pa kaysa nung Pablo,” he said.

 

In Carmen town in Davao del Norte, more evacuees were recorded during the LPA inundation as compared to those during Pablo’s onslaught, the television report said.

 

Meanwhile, Uy noted that the residents of the province seemed to be more aware now of the ill effects of weather disturbances as they easily heeded the government warning to evacuate.

 

“Una sa lahat, ‘yung awareness ng tao na 'pag may bagyong darating, 'di na tayo nahihirapan na sila ay palikasin. May ibang matigas ang ulo na 'di pa din lumilikas pero mas resilient na sila. ‘Yun ang mga leksyon na nakuha natin nung Pablo,” he concluded. —Rouchelle R. Dinglasan/KG, GMA News