OZAMIZ CITY, Philippines—Tropical Storm Sendong dumped large volumes of rainwater here, triggering widespread flooding as the traditional nine-day series of pre-dawn Masses that usher in Christmas started on Friday.
In an advisory, Mayor Nova Princess Echavez said she declared a suspension of classes after about 60 percent of the city was inundated.
The depth of the flooding varied from knee-deep to waist-deep, but so far no casualty has been reported. However, the flood took a toll on the number of people attending the Simbang Gabi as many residents opted to stay at home.
As of mid-day on Friday, the floodwaters have subsided, especially near the city center, but Echavez reminded residents to brace themselves for more rains as the city was within Sendong’s path.
Storm Signal No. 1 was up in most part of northern Mindanao because of the passage of Sendong.
In Davao City, volunteers in various places had been mobilized in anticipation of flood-related problems, according to Pepito Capili, administrative officer of the Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council.
Capili said they were tightly monitoring major river systems that run through the city.
In June, at least 30 people were killed and 150,000 others were displaced when flash floods struck Davao.
Capili said even if similar flooding happened again, the city government could expect fewer problems this time.
“Today we have observed that the public is more aware and concerned about their safety during disaster situations. Our office receives more callers inquiring about the storm,” he said.
Gerry Pedrico, chief of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) in Southern Mindanao, said that it was unlikely for storms to directly hit Davao City.
“One major factor for this is that the Davao region is near the equator and this location usually kills storms. Another factor is the mountain ranges surrounding Davao that provide friction that weakens tropical storms,” Pedrico said.
But Pedrico said the effects of storms, such as heavy rains and flooding, could occur in the city and nearby areas anytime.
In Dipolog City, Mayor Evelyn Uy reported that 576 families in three districts had left their homes.
In Barangay Turno, a waterspout descended on Friday, sending people fleeing to safety, Uy said. Uy said waist-deep water also inundated the village but no damage was immediately reported.
She said two more riverside barangays were also flooded.
She said the city was experiencing only drizzles when the waterspout hit and the river swelled.
“We have already alerted the crisis committee and we initially distributed sacks of rice. We are still assessing the situation,” Uy said by phone.
With a report from Julie S. Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao