In a forecast released by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) at 5AM today, Mindanao island will continue to experience cloudy skies with moderate to heavy rainshowers and thunderstorms which could lead to the said calamities.
By JOHN RIZLE L. SALIGUMBA
Davao Today
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – A government agency for weather forecasting, flood control, astronomical observations and time service cautioned the public that the current low pressure area (LPA) “may trigger flashfloods and landslides” in Mindanao.
In a forecast released by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) at 5AM today, Mindanao island will continue to experience cloudy skies with moderate to heavy rainshowers and thunderstorms which could lead to the said calamities.
The LPA was estimated to be at 340 Kilometers Southeast of Davao City (5.0°N, 128.0°E) embedded along the Intertropical Convergence Zone which is affecting Mindanao.
Emmanuel Jaldon, chief of Davao City’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC), said that villagers especially residing in landslide-prone like the Marilog highlands have been advised “to be on alert.” However, he noted, villagers call the shots to vacate their area as a precautionary measure apart from the forced evacuation.
With the continuous light to moderate rains in the city, the water level in all rivers is being monitored, Jaldon said. As of Monday evening, the water levels are still normal. He said that CDRRMC along with rescue teams is on alert 24/7.
The LPA has caused persistent moderate to heavy rains over the provinces of Davao Del Norte, Davao Del Sur, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, Agusan Del Sur, Agusan Del Norte, Surigao Del Sur and Surigao Del Norte.
Meanwhile, in Baganga town, Davao Oriental, Municipal Planning and Development Officer Dewey Clark said that the LPA has caused an entire day of raining in this Pablo-ravaged town.
“It’s been raining but fortunately, there is no flood in the Poblacion area,” he told davaotoday.com. However, he worries that “the bunkhouse being built by the DSWD has not been finished yet.”
The local government, he said, has not yet released an order in relation to the LPA. (John Rizle L. Saligumba/davaotoday.com)
