58 barangays in Agusan del Sur affected by flood
AGUSAN DEL SUR (14 January) - Some 58 barangays from 9 municipalities were already affected by floods due to continue rainfall since Sunday, January 10, 2009.
Report by the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) said that on January 12, Zacarias Gales Y Galia from San Francisco town were missing while crossing the strong water current of NIA dam, on his way home to Brgy. Alegria, San Francisco, The dead body were found just today around 6:00 AM at Adlayan River along Managbay, Bitan-agan, San Francisco.
A total of 7,674 families or 37,709 persons were affected. Record from the Office of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council shows that damages to agriculture from the municipalities of Sta. Josefa, Rosario, Talacogon and Trento now reach to P1.2 million. Rosario town also recorded some P3.3 million damages on roads.
As of reporting time, Search and Rescue team with rubber boats, stake truck and isuzu elf vehicle were already dispatched to affected areas since Monday, January 12. Local DCCs are now conducting actual assessment of the damages in their respective areas of responsibility, while the relief team from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development and the Philippine National Red Cross are now conducting relief operations in Sta. Josefa town, particularly in Barangay Tapaz, and will continue the relief operation in Poblacion Veruela tomorrow (January 15). (David M. Suyao, PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Floods hit Surigao City, 65 dwellers evacuated
Surigao City (14 January) - Some 65 residents in the barangays of San Juan and Sabang this city were forced to leave their homes due to eminent danger of flash floods and landslides brought about by the incessant rains experienced that triggered the rise of the flood water in low-lying areas and along riverbanks.
Surigao City Quick Action Response Team (QART) Team Leader Isidro ‘Bad boy’ Elumba said the evacuation started around 10pm in Purok 8, 9 and 12 in Brgy. San Juan and in Sabang.
Elumba added that affected families totaled of 65 evacuees were then evacuated in Brgy. Washington covered court.
Meanwhile, the City Government of Surigao has already sent food packs consisting of rice and canned goods for the flash flood affected families.
PAGASA has already declared the province of Surigao del Norte under alert level 1 for possible flashfloods and landslide.
Surigao City Mayor Alfonso Casurra, in a radio announcement this morning has also declared a suspension of classes in all public and private schools in both the elementary and high school levels.
Administrators in the college level have the discretion to stop classes, Casurra added.
On the other hand, 1st District Rep. Francisco Matugas has also ordered the DPWH for a damage assessment in Siargao Island specifically to the affected municipalities to determine other support services needed. (Fryan E. Abkilan, PIA-Surigao del Norte)
