Davao City Hit by Heavy Rain, Flash Flood
On Wednesday night and Thursday morning, Davao City experienced a heavy downpour that resulted in flash floods affecting several barangays in the area. The flooding caused significant damage, especially in Samantha Homes in Barangay Bago Gallera and Susana Homes in Barangay Baliok, Talomo District.
Rescue efforts were initiated by the Special Rescue Force of the Bureau of Fire Protection-Region 11 to assist flooded residents in Bago Gallera, Davao City. Other affected barangays, according to the city government, Davao City Police Office (DCPO), and Baliok Police Station, included Bago Aplaya, Talomo Poblacion, Matina Aplaya, Catalunan Pequeño, Ma-a, and Santo Niño.
Residents sought safety on the rooftops of their homes, while some evacuated to higher ground and temporary shelters. The Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) recorded 127 internally displaced families or 454 individuals. Fortunately, no deaths were reported.
The flooding also caused disruptions, with hundreds of commuters getting trapped in the downtown area due to above-ankle flood on some streets and a knee-deep flood on McArthur Highway in Matina. As a result, the city government suspended classes on all levels in identified barangays affected by the heavy rain.
Davao City Rep. Paolo Z. Duterte distributed food packs, bottled water, lunch, and hot meals to flood victims on Thursday morning. Additionally, the Mindanao Regional Services Division of the State weather bureau issued a thunderstorm advisory, indicating moderate to heavy rainfall with lightning and strong winds in various parts of Region 11.
The flooding was attributed to a low-pressure area (LPA) located west of Dipolog City, as per the general flood advisory No. 2 issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on November 8.
Despite the widespread damage and disruptions caused by the flash flood, efforts were made by authorities to assist affected residents and ensure public safety.
