Davao City emergency response units on full alert as storm nears PAR

DAVAO CITY – Emergency response units here were placed under full alert as Tropical Storm Sanba (its international name) moved closer to the Philippines area of responsibility and started bringing rainfall in northern and eastern Mindanao, which could drain towards the Davao River and trigger fresh flooding.

In a statement, the Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said all emergency response units had been asked to be on on stand by for possible flooding. All flood-prone barangays had also been alerted.

On Dec. 24, 2017, over 31,000 individuals were displaced here when the swollen Davao River dumped water into low-lying areas in Buhangin and Bunawan districts when Severe Tropical Storm Vinta made landfall in eastern Mindanao.

Vinta had also flooded many Mindanao areas and killed nearly 200 people.

Sanba is expected to enter the Philippines area of responsibility Sunday evening, according to the bulletin issued at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

It will then be named Basyang.

“Scattered to widespread moderate to heavy rains will prevail over the eastern section of Visayas and of Mindanao beginning tomorrow,” the state weather bureau added.

It warned of possible floods and landslides.

Pagasa also warned fishermen and “those with small seacraft not to venture out over the eastern seaboard of Visayas and of Mindanao due to expected rough to very rough seas associated with the approaching Tropical Storm.”

At 4:00 p.m. Sunday, Sanba was monitored 1,035 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur and.
It had maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph, moving west-northwest at 27 kph.

It is expected to be just 50 km west of Butuan City on Tuesday afternoon. /atm