Over 1,000 people flee as non-stop rains flood entire village in Davao City

Thousands of villagers are forced to leave their homes following a severe flooding that hit several areas in Davao City on Sunday. DENNIS JAY SANTOS/INQUIRER MINDANAO

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—Over 1,000 people have evacuated to the University of Mindanao gym as the entire Gravahan village near the Davao River has been submerged in floodwater since 2 a.m. Sunday, said barangay kagawad (village councilor) Joseph Encabo.

Greg Nadal, barangay development progressive unit, said he feared the floodwater would continue to rise since the rain in Tamugan, which has a river running as one of the tributaries of Davao river, has been going on non-stop.

Nadal said that the number of households in Gravahan alone could reach 2,000 families and some of them have taken refuge in the gym.

Among the evacuees, Ofelia Gregory, 64, said she noticed the floodwater on the road at 12 a.m. but two hours later, the water already entered their kitchen. Matina Crossing barangay kagawad Samson Villasis said the city government has been distributing ready to eat food packs at the gym.