[learn_more caption=”Click here to learn more”]In Andap village, New Bataan, Compostela Governor Arturo Uy confirmed that 33 died due to landslides and flashfloods as a result of typhoon Pablo.
By MARILOU AGUIRRE-TUBURAN
Davao Today
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Typhoon ‘Pablo’ (International name: Bopho) left Mindanao as of 6 PM Tuesday according to weather center Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
“The eye of Typhoon Pablo was located 30 km southwest of Dumaguete City, with maximum winds of 160 kph and gustiness of 195 kph. Pablo is moving west-northwest at 24 kph,” Pagasa update said.
“Davao City is delisted under any public storm signal,” the City Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office advised through a text message 10 PM Tuesday.
Yet, as Pablo leaves the Davao Region, it left thousands of affected individuals, a number of deaths and an estimated billions-worth of damage to properties.
In Davao City, data from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office as of 130 PM Tuesday noted 14 cases of fallen trees which partially damaged four houses, totally damaged one house and affected two electric posts and telephone lines. An electric post also fell partially damaging one house.
Storm surges were felt in eight areas which affected 211 families and damaged three houses while the roofs of two houses were blown away.
In Matina Aplaya and Tibungco, 10 fishermen and a father and his two children were reported trapped in a fish cage.
Several power outages were also experienced in many parts of the City.
The Davao Light and Power Company said “the heavy rain and strong winds brought by typhoon Pablo caused several tree branches to fall on the electric company’s distribution lines.”
Ross Luga of DLPC’s Corporate Communications Office said they “beefed up” their maintenance crews to work on the immediate restoration of the affected lines.”
‘Deadly’
In Andap village, New Bataan, Compostela Governor Arturo Uy confirmed that 33 died due to landslides and flashfloods as a result of typhoon Pablo.
Andap is home to about 3,000 individuals.
Lt. Col. Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division, also confirmed that the patrol base of the 66th Infantry Battalion Charlie Company in Andap “was washed out” when hit by a supposed tornado killing a first sergeant and wounding another soldier. About 20 soldiers are still missing.
Mati City’s Sangguniang Panglungsod already declared a state of calamity and Mayor Michelle Rabat is set to sign it on Wednesday.
In the official report of the Office of Civil Defense-XI as of 7 PM Tuesday, it noted a total of 2,891 families or 14,316 individuals who were affected from 19 villages in 18 municipalities.
In Compostela Valley’s Mabini, Maragusan, Mawab and Monkayo towns, 635 individuals were affected. Some 118 families were displaced. In Compostela town, OCD noted only two dead, in contrast to Gov. Uy’s statement. Two were injured while six are missing.
In Davao del Norte’s Tagum City, Island Garden City of Samal, and the towns of Sto. Tomas, New Corella and San Isidro, 675 individuals were affected while 127 families were displaced.
In Davao Oriental’s Mati City and the towns of Baganga, Boston, Caraga, Banaybanay, Manay, Tarragona, Lupon, Cateel and Boston, 12,610 individuals were affected. OCD noted five died in Davao Oriental mostly due to drowning. One died due to a head trauma when hit by a house damaged by a falling tree. It noted four injured individuals. A total of 2,660 families were displaced.
In Davao del Sur’s Don Marcelino town, 395 individuals were affected.
“All families were evacuated as pre-emptive measure,” Liza Mazo, OCD Regional Director, said.
OCD also noted that landlines and cellular signals have bugged down in the East Coast of Davao Oriental. Power supplies and some electrical posts were downed in some parts of Compostela while some roads were not passable. Electrical posts were downed in San Isidro, Davao del Norte while the San Antonio Bridge in Caraga, Davao Oriental was damaged and was not passable to all types of vehicles.
The whole part of Davao Oriental and Municipalities of Compostela and Maragusan has also experienced blackout.
Twenty-four houses were partially damaged while 69 houses were totally damaged across the region, the OCD noted. (Marilou Aguirre-Tuburan/davaotoday.com)
