12 villages in Zamboanga City flooded

PAGADIAN CITY—Continuous heavy rains on Friday brought by Tropical Depression “Marilyn” and southwest monsoon have led to a swollen Pasonanca River, flooding 12 villages of Zamboanga City.

Dr. Elmer Apolinario of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), identified the flooded barangays as Baliwasan, Sinunoc, Sangali, Tugbungan, Pasonanca, Putik, Ayala, Divisoria, Campo Islam, Zone 3, Lower Calarian and Tumaga.

Classes in all levels were suspended in these areas on Friday.

Apolinario said elements from the police, military and the coast guard helped local government personnel rescue residents trapped on the roof of their houses.

The coast guard evacuated around 100 individuals in Barangay Sangali, and 200 more were rescued in Barangay Tumaga.

In Tumaga, two houses were washed away by floodwaters while a landslide was reported in Barangay Salaan.

At around 4 p.m. Friday, the CDRRMO, along with support agencies, cleared the Putik bridge of debris, mostly tree branches and garbage that piled up due to the strong water current.

In Barangay Patalon, a team from the 74th Infantry Battalion evacuated families stranded by the flood.

Also in Patalon’s coastal portion, a masjid was damaged and about 10 houses made of light materials were destroyed by strong waves./ac