Hundreds of families were affected by heavy flooding due to driving rains on Wednesday night in Davao City.
Based on the report of the Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Operations and Warning Section some 3,559 families were affected by flashfloods that affected some areas in the city.
Residents described the turn of events as occurring ‘too fast’ that they failed to react in time.
“Paspas kaayo ang nahitabo. Nikusog ang ulan, nakita namo nga hapit na muapaw sa canal ang tubig. Nagpanic mi nidagan nami sa taas na lugar ug wala namo na secure among mga gamit,” said Elsa Bohol, a resident of San Juan Village, Bangkal in Royal Valley.
Bohol said she just secured some important documents, her daughters and their pet dog.
Flooding occurred in Barangay Los Amigos in the areas of Tugbok (Tugbok National High School), and Catalunan Pequeno (Keith Williams); Brgy Talomo with affected areas Taal 1, Taal 2, Teachers Village, Morio Morio, and San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish; Talomo Proper areas such as San Agustin Village, Bolusan Blk 4, NHA Bangkal RIverside, Royal Valley Bangkal and Ulas; areas in Brgy Sto. Nino in Sitio Talipapa such as Brgy. Matina Crossing in Golden Valley, Arroyo Compound, and Guadalupe Village; and Brgy Mintal in Purok 14.
At 5:08 pm of Wednesday, the City Disaster Reduction and Risk Management Office- Operation Center (CDRRMO-OpCen) reported overflowing of creek at Philippine College of Technology (PCT) in Brgy. Calinan
At 5:29 pm City CDRRMO-OpCen reported a streetflooding and rising of water level at Graceland, Purok 1,2,3,4 and 7 in Los Amigos and by 7:48 pm residents in Brgy Talomo near Talomo Bridge Area were advised for evacuation due to water elevel increase at Talomo River channel.
Other areas that were advised to force evacuate were Matina Aplaya, Matina Crossing and Matina Pangi.
The overflowing of water also caused Talomo River to swell up to eight feet. This caused residents to panic and didn’t able to save some of their belongings.
Acting Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte also came and supervised the rescue operation in Royal Valley.
While evacuation was ongoing, a rescue operation was also conducted by the Barangay Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Office-Talomo. Dumptrucks were also deployed to fetch those who were stranded in their homes due to flooding.
Wingvan and dumptrucks were also deployed to transfer affected families from Tugbok to Los Amigos evacuation center.
Affected communities of Brgys Los Amigos and Tugbok were immediately relocated at Los Amigos Evacuation Center while affected communities along Talomo Proper at Talomo Gym. Affected families in Taal 1 and Taal 2 were temporarily relocated at Taal Gym.
All safety issues in flooded areas were all addressed by 911, Davao City Police Office (DCPO), barangay responders, and other support units.
