Thousands evacuated, residents warned against landslides in Caraga Region

03 January 2011

Some 2,009 persons fled their homes in municipality of San Francisco in Agusan del Sur, cities of Butuan and Surigao, and in Agusan del Norte due to rising flood waters (PNA).

The Caraga region is experiencing heavy rains since January 1 due to northeast monsoon and tail-end of a cold front. According to PIA, all four provinces in the region are experiencing massive floods with minor landslides in some areas as of press time.

According to a separate report from PIA, Dr. Blanche Gobenciong, OCD-Caraga Regional Director and Chairman of Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), said in a radio interview that all water systems in the region are rising. As of press time, two barangays in Surigao City and two others in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur are flooding. The provincial government of Agusan del Sur is now on red alert status. Meanwhile, the City Disaster Coordinating Council of Butuan City said that the water level Agusan River is still manageable.

Pagasa says in their advisory released 9 am today, moderate to occasionally heavy rains will be experienced in the region for the next 24 hours. The amount of rainfall measured in Surigao is amounting to 310 mm, while 123.4 mm in Hinatuan, and 105.4 mm in Butuan.

Sources:
Pagasa. Flood Advisory # 5 for Caraga Region, January 3, 2011.
Philippine News Agency. 2,009 persons evacuated in Caraga region due to flooding; residents warned vs landslides, January 3, 2011. [http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=0&nid=2&rid=321518]
PIA. Massive flooding hits Caraga region, January 3, 2011. [http://pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=9789]
PIA. Agusan del Sur on red alert due to massive flooding, January 3. [http://pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=9778]
PIA. RDRRMC-Caraga bares impact of 2 days of continuous rains, January 3, 2011. [http://pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=9762]