DAVAO CITY, Philippines – A bridge collapsed and one person went missing in Davao Oriental, while 206 families in a Davao de Oro town evacuated as tropical depression Kabayan hit most parts of Mindanao on Monday, December 18.
Kabayan was earlier forecast as a tropical storm but weakened late Monday morning into a low-pressure area, the weather bureau PAGASA said. But it still brought strong winds and heavy rains in the eastern part of Mindanao.
Kabayan made landfall in Manay, Davao Oriental around 9:30 am which caused rivers to overflow.
A 36-year-old male from Barangay Holy Cross in Manay was reported missing when he was swept by the strong current of the Manay River, the Office of Civil Defense Region 11 (OCD) reported.
In the neighboring town of Caraga, a bridge in Barangay Lamiawan has collapsed under the strong currents of the overflowing Lamiawan River, according to a post from the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental.
The bridge is said to be the only link connecting Poblacion to Barangay Pichon where Mandaya communities are residing. Efforts are reportedly being made to respond to the situation.
Some 200 families or 900 persons in Barangay Pichon, Caraga have evacuated due to landslides, according to OCD 11.
In New Bataan, Davao de Oro, 206 families from seven barangays have been evacuated, according to Mindanews reports, which cited New Bataan information officer Cleo Aparece.
There are 103 families with 370 members evacuated from Barangay Bantacan; 69 families or 192 persons in Barangay Kahayag, 22 families or 74 persons in Barangay Cabinuangan (Poblacion), and six families or 12 persons in Barangay Andap, and four families or 18 persons in Barangay Magangit and two families or eight persons in Barangay Camanglangan.
New Bataan and Davao Oriental were hit hardest during Typhoon Pablo on December 4, 2012, where 2,891 families were affected. In New Bataan alone, 430 persons died and 320 went missing during Pablo, according to Mindanews.
Classes and work in government offices were suspended in most cities and towns in Davao Region when PAGASA earlier raised signal number 1 in 17 of Mindanao’s 28 provinces on Sunday.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Kabayan sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 80 kph. It is forecast to continue to cross Mindanao
Kabayan also made rainfall in the Caraga region and caused floods in Agusan del Sur.
PAGASA forecasts that Kabayan will pass through Palawan on Tuesday before leaving the Philippines on Wednesday. (davaotoday.com)
Kabayan, philippines, typhoon
