2,540 residents evacuate from homes due to floods in Zamboanga City

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

ZAMBOANGA CITY—Some 2,540 persons from 13 villages here were evacuated from their homes on Wednesday as flood waters rummaged through their communities, spawned by incessant rains brought by a low-pressure area.

Rescuers from the local government, backed by those from the city police, rushed to the villages of Cabaluay, Sangali, Guisao, Sto. Niño, Putik, Tugbungan, Tetuan, Tumaga, Guiwan Porcentro, Santa Maria, Cawit, Ayala, Zone IV, and San Jose to haul them off to safety.

The evacuees are now temporarily sheltered in 14 evacuation sites, mostly covered courts and barangay halls.

At around 10 a.m. on Wednesday, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office warned residents living along the Tumaga river after the water at the Pasonanca intake diversion dam rose to 77.60 meters, indicating it has breached the highly critical mark as its normal level is only 74.20 meters.

The Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative cut off the power supply in some 18 areas of the city that were flooded as a precaution.

Mayor John Dalipe suspended work in all local government offices due to the floods and continuing heavy rains. Dalipe also suspended classes at all levels throughout the city.

The city’s airport was closed to commercial flights on Wednesday after its runway was flooded. Flights were diverted either to Cagayan de Oro or Davao.

The inclement weather in Mindanao spoiled the visit on Wednesday morning of President Marcos in Misamis Occidental, which was heavily battered by floods on Dec. 25 and 26.

According to a new release from the Presidential Communications Office, the president’s plane made three landing attempts before touching down at the airport in Ozamiz City.

Some 16,013 families or 56,853 persons were affected by the two-day floods in the province, 20 of whom died.

The president was supposed to take a chopper for an ocular inspection of the devastation of Oroquieta City, the provincial capital, but had to call it off. A briefing with local officials was done at the airport, after which the president distributed relief goods in Tudela town.

Marcos vowed to resettle the families who lost their homes through the National Housing Authority. He also ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways to expedite the repair of damaged infrastructure.

From Ozamiz City, Marcos flew to Gingoog City, ravaged by the shear line last month.

In Butuan City, the Department of Education has not yet allowed the reopening of classes on Wednesday amid continuing rains. The agency suspended classes on Tuesday due to the floods. With a report from Erwin M. Mascariñas

RELATED STORY:

Zamboanga City airport closed due to flood 

JPV/abc