Agaton lowers into LPA, but floods swamp Mindanao towns

By Mart Sambalud & Tyrone Velez
Davao Today

DAVAO CITY–  Authorities have already lifted public storm warning signals as of 11 am Monday as tropical depression Agaton weakened to a low pressure area (LPA).

The much-anticipated typhoon did not push through, even as heavy rains brought by Agaton in the past week triggered floods in Davao del Norte, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur and Cagayan de Oro.

The NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk and Reduction and Management Council) said 40 people have been reported dead, 65 injured and six missing, while a total of 153,193 families have been affected by Agaton in 15 provinces of Mindanao.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical & Astronomical Services Adminstration (PAGASA), however, said that even as storm warnings have been lifted, it said heavy rains will continue in the regions of Davao, Northern Mindanao and Caraga.

In Davao del Norte, rivers continue to rise despite as kilometer 9 national highway in Asuncion town is no longer passable to all types of vehicles.

Flood waters started to rush in Poblacion Cambanogoy forcing 200 families to evacuate to Brgy. Concepcion, while 42 other families in Tagum City were evacuated to San Miguel Barangay Hall.

In Compostela Valley, Governor Arturo Uy in a text message urged Comval residents to heed government’s warning particularly in landslide and flood-prone areas.

The governor ordered a half-day work for capitol employees, but said the lifting of suspension of classes from grade school to high school in the province will be decided later after assessment of the situation in areas affected by Agaton.

A Landslide was reported in San Isidro, Nabunturan in Comval with no casualties. While 321 families in Compostela town evacuated towards safer grounds, around 100 families in Monkayo, 76 families from New Bataan, 86 families in Mabini, 45 families in Montevista, and 24 families in Nabunturan.

In Davao City, the local government unit announced it has lifted its suspension of classes and said classes will resume Tuesday.

In Agusan del Sur, the Caraga Regional Disaster Risk-Reduction and Management Council advised commuters plying the Davao to Agusan route that the Maharlika highway along Afga, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur is not passable to all types of vehicles due to landslides.

Residents in Purok Batohon in Esperanza, Agusan del Sur were rescued by local disaster units through rubberboats as floods engulfed their villages.

Severe floods have been reported in Butuan City and Cagayan de Oro, while reports of landslides have been noted in Marawi and Iligan Cities.(davaotoday.com)