NEARLY 150 individuals evacuated on Tuesday around 4:50 a.m. on Jan. 16 after a river reportedly overflowed at a waist level at Purok 2-A, Barangay Bunawan Proper.
Based on the record of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) as of 10:38 a.m. on Tuesday, there were 69 families or 143 individuals evacuated in the Bunawan area.
Immediately, the Bunawan Police Station personnel conducted a preemptive evacuation of the residents together with the search and rescue team.
Meanwhile, the city government declared suspension of classes in all levels of public and private schools and work in the government offices since the early evening of Jan. 15, 2024, Davao City has been experiencing heavy rains continuing into the morning of Jan. 16, 2024, due to a shear line and localized thunderstorms affecting Mindanao.
Around 4:11 a.m. on January 16, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) issued an Orange Rainfall Warning for Davao Oriental and Davao de Oro, warning of possible heavy rains, flash floods, and landslides in said areas.
By 6 a.m., Pagasa issued General Flood Advisory Number 2 for Region XI (Davao Region), which forecasts light to moderate rains and thunderstorms in the region for the next 12 hours due to the shear line affecting the northern and eastern sections of Mindanao and the northeast monsoon affecting Luzon and Visayas.
The City Government of Davao is duty-bound to safeguard the welfare of the public and undertake measures to avert any untoward incidents or disasters that may be caused by the effects of said weather occurrence.
- It said that classes and school activities at all levels in all public and private educational institutions in Davao City are hereby suspended;
- That the Work-From-Home (WFH) arrangement shall be adopted in all national and local government offices, including government-owned and controlled corporations in Davao City, EXCEPT for offices performing safety and security, health, social services, and disaster and emergency response services; and
- Private offices and establishments are given the discretion to suspend work or adopt WFH arrangements but are encouraged to do so for the safety and convenience of their employees.
Meanwhile, the City Social Welfare and Development Office – Davao (CSWDO) together with the Barangay Council of Bunawan Proper provided meals to the residents affected by the overflow of Bunawan River on Tuesday morning.
The affected residents are currently taking shelter at Barangay Bunawan Proper Gym.
A team from the City Health Office (CHO) is present onsite to provide medical support to the residents. The CSWDO has also set up a child-friendly space at the evacuation site.
Also in other areas in the region, a Landslide happened in Purok 1A, National Highway, Brgy Sawangan, Mawab, Davao De Oro, as two houses were affected on Tuesday morning, Jan. 16.
