Some residents evacuated in parts of country hit by floods

Residents affected by the floods that occurred in several areas in Mindanao remain in evacuation centers a few days before the new year while some towns that were inundated have been recommended to be place under the state of calamity.

Some residents were evacuated as the level of water in the Pulangui river in Bukidnon province rose due to flash floods, according to Xyriel Chavez’s report in  GMA Regional TV One Mindanao which aired in the “24 Oras” report on Wednesday, 

“Napakabilis ng agos ng tubig kasi in one hour, umabot agad sa eight feet… that’s why it made us decide na mag-red alert status and quick forced evacuation,” said June Ray Valero, head of the Valencia City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO).

At least two residents were rescued from landslides by members of the 16th Infantry Battalion in  Sitio Mamato, Claveria town in Misamis Oriental.

Meanwhile, the City of Gingoog has been placed under state of calamity as massive flash floods also occurred which affected many residents in Dipolog City.

The Dapitan CDRRMC also recommended the declaration of state of calamity as several residents were still placed in evacuation centers as flash floods occurred in the area.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) chairperson and Department of National Defense (DND) officer in charge Senior Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr. visited Ozamis City, Misamis Occidental to meet with the local authorities.

According to the NDRRMC reported posted on Wednesday night, 29 persons have died due to the heavy rains and floods that hit portions of the Visayas and Mindanao over the past few days due to the shear line.

Apart from areas in Visayas and Mindanao, several provinces in Luzon, including Palawan were also affected.

More than 1,500 residents were affected due to flash floods, while several residents were placed in evacuation centers in Brooke’s Point in Palawan.

The local municipal disaster council also recommended placing Brooke’s Point under state of calamity. -- Richa Noriega/BAP, GMA Integrated News