Davao de Oro death toll due to floods, landslides climbs to 8

The number of fatalities in Davao de Oro following floods and landslides caused by the trough or extension of a low pressure area (LPA) has risen to eight, according to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO).

In an interview by Super Radyo Davao, Fe Maestre, Information Officer of Davao de Oro, said the two additional casualties were from the municipalities of Pantukan and Monkayo.

One of the victims is a 98-year-old woman who was buried in a landslide. The other victim is a man who was killed in a flooding in Barangay Kingking, Pantukan.

Some areas remain submerged in floods in Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, Davao Oriental, and Davao City.

Nearly 5,000 families were evacuated due to massive flooding and landslides in the towns of Monkayo and Maragusan in Davao de Oro, according to GMA News Regional TV.

As of 3 p.m. on Friday, February 2, 2024, the municipal government of Monkayo recorded some 4,464 families or 10,129 affected. Some took shelter temporarily at the evacuation centers while others opted to stay outside the evacuation centers.

The local government said 21 barangays were affected by the calamities. These include Barangays Poblacion, Rizal, Mt. Diwata, Naboc, Olaycon, Pasian, Casoon, Upper Ulip, Babag, Salvacion, Union, Inambatan, San Jose, Baylo, Haguimitan, Mamunga, Awao, Tubo-tubo, Macopa, Banlag, and San Isidro.

In Maragusan town, around 371 families or 1,512 individuals have also evacuated.

According to the report of the municipal government as of 4:30 p.m. on Friday, February 2, 2024, 13 barangays were affected.

These are Barangays Mapawa, Poblacion, Langgawisan, Coronobe, New Albay, Bagong Silang, New Panay, Dalian, Mauswagon, Paloc, Tandik, and Tupas.

Barangay Tupas has the most number of evacuees with 134 families or 500 individuals, based on the report.

Aside from distributing food assistance, the provincial government also conducted rapid health assessment to check the health condition of the evacuees.

The Provincial Health Office (PHO) have collected necessary data and assessed the health status of residents affected to determine the kind of medicine to be given and administered to flood victims. 

Other areas

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported Saturday that a total of 143,047 families or 529,583 persons were affected by the combined effects of the Northeast Monsoon and the trough of a low pressure area in Regions 10 and 11, CARAGA and BARMM.

Of the number, 18,177 families or 70,148 persons were served inside 306 evacuation centers and 53,474 families or 171,965 persons were served outside evacuation centers.

Aside from the casualties, seven persons were reported injured in the Davao Region or Region 11.

Seventy-five (75) roads and bridges in Regions 10, 11 and CARAGA had been impassable, while 56 roads and two (2) bridges previously impassable are now passable.

Nine cities and municipalities in the said regions also had their power supply affected.

The NDRRMC further reported that there were 11 partially and 25 totally damaged houses in the Davao Region and CARAGA.

Classes were suspended in 112 cities and municipalities in Regions 10, 11, 12 and CARAGA, while work were suspended in 32 cities and municipalities in Regions 10, 11 and CARAGA.

Fourteen (14) cities and municipalities were declared under state of calamity in CARAGA.

Assistance worth more than P3.3 million was provided in Region 11 and CARAGA. –Jamil Santos/ VAL, GMA Integrated News