GenSan braces for widespread rains that may trigger flash floods

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines – The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has warned of widespread rains over Eastern and Southern Mindanao that may cause flash floods and landslides due to a low pressure area sighted east southeast of this seaport city.

The warning issued by RDRRMC Deputy Regional Director Jerome Barranco was directed particularly to those living along riverbanks or near an identified landslide-prone area.

Barranco also warned fishers, including operators of small sea craft, not to sail at this time due to turbulent seas.

The city disaster council here claimed that it has alerted residents along the shorelines and riverbanks to prepare for possible evacuation once heavy rains start to fall.

Ephraim Beliran, city disaster council action officer, told reporters that the city government has been warning residents in flood-prone villages to be prepared at all times.

He said the city government had provided relocation sites for informal settlers in identified danger zones and that a standby rescue team was ready any time to respond to emergencies.

As of 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, the weather advisory said the low pressure area was still 500 kilometers east southeast of this city.

Since Tuesday morning, the city has been experiencing cloudy skies and nearby Sarangani province was partly cloudy.