Flashfloods hit more Mindanao areas

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – More areas have been hit by floods as torrential rains continued in Southern and Eastern Mindanao. 

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the rains were brought by the tail-end of a cold front and a low-pressure area that are taking place at the same time in this part of the country.

Widespread flooding and landslides in Mindanao and the Visayas have left 18 persons dead, initial reports reaching the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) showed.

Mina Marasigan, NDRRMC spokesperson, said nine were reported dead in Zamboanga del Norte, three from Gingoog City in Misamis Oriental, three from Cagayan de Oro City and one each in Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental and Cebu provinces.

She added that five were reported missing – two each from Cebu and Zamboanga del Norte and one from Misamis Occidental – and three were injured at the height of the flooding in Cagayan de Oro City.

The NDRRMC continued to closely monitor the severe weather conditions over Davao region, especially over Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley.

Many of the affected residents in the flashflood-hit areas were not expecting that the low-pressure area and tail-end of a cold front would dump heavy rains over their villages for several days. 

“They were apparently caught off guard as they were not expecting days of heavy rains,” Marasigan said.

Marasigan said there could be lapses in the interpretation of disaster warnings sent to communities, like those located in the Zamboanga peninsula.

She cited the case of flood-hit Cagayan de Oro City, which appeared to give less priority to the warnings and failed to consider its experiences in the 2009 and 2011 flashfloods when it tackled the issue on urban development.

“This is now being looked into by our national leadership, but this was not given proper attention, like where the waters would be flowing when flashfloods occur,” Marasigan said. 

City streets in Cagayan de Oro were submerged in floods due to the city’s clogged drainage systems.    

Because of the major challenges brought by climate change, Marasigan said the NDRRMC would also develop its messaging system so communities could be warned ahead of time and people would be able to better understand all disaster warnings. – With Jaime Laude