Dapitan put under state of calamity due to flooding

Dapitan City in Zamboanga del Norte (Image from Google Maps)

PAGADIAN CITY – Dapitan City was placed under state of calamity on Monday following flooding that affected 11 villages Sunday night.

The flooding was triggered by rain brought by a low pressure area, according to the report of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. The The rain cause three rivers – Sibutad, Tolon and Dampalan – to overflow.

Nelson Quimigin, the city disaster management officer, said no casualies had been reported from the flooding that hit the villages of Potungan, Dampalan, Opao, Ba-ao, Barcelona, Ilaya, Burgos, Oyan, Diwaan, Tamion, Masidlakon, and Sulangon.

However, agricultural crops were damaged by the floods, according to Dapitan Councilor Dug Christopher Mah.

Quimigin said they were still conducting rapid damage assessment even as they continued to assist displaced residents. /atm