90 families flee homes in Dipolog due to floods

MANILA, Philippines—At least 90 families have evacuated their homes in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte, as tropical depression “Auring” caused floods due to heavy rains on Thursday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said.

NDRRMC executive director Benito Ramos told INQUIRER.net that the residents fled as Lubungan river in San Jose village swelled.

“In some areas, the floodwaters reached neck-deep level that’s why residents were being evacuated to safer grounds,” Ramos said.

Knee-deep floodwaters also forced the local government units to close the main highways and a bridge in the municipality of Katipunan and other nearby towns in Zamboanga del Norte, Ramos added.

Some roads were also impassable and one bridge was destroyed due to the floods.

Meanwhile, he also said “Auring” could make a landfall in southern Palawan, and may affect the areas of Brook’s Point, Narra, Bataraza, Quezon, Rizal and Paborlan.

No casualties were reported as of latest, he said.