DAVAO CITY (PIA) -- The City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) of Davao City recorded 15 barangays that were affected by the January 31 flooding brought about by heavy rains attributed to the Trough of a Low-Pressure Area.

“We have 15 barangays but not the whole barangays were affected. We have Puroks in 15 barangays na naagian sa dagkong sapa na nakasinati dyud baha kagabii hangtod karon (along the big rivers which experienced flooding last night ‘til this morning [Feb. 1] ),” said CDRRMO chief retired Police Col. Alfredo Baloran.

Based on their reports, they have rescued 2,423 families or an estimated 8,129 individuals. However, no casualties were reported from the flooding.

Baloran said the early announcements and pre-emptive evacuations prevented casualties during the calamity.

He said that many people were obeying the announcement and pre-emptive evacuations, except for a few stubborn individuals.

He said some hard-headed evacuees were brought to the San Pedro and Talomo Police stations.

Baloran reminded the public that there is a new city ordinance that penalizes people who do not follow mandatory evacuation orders.

“There are some who underestimate the level of water despite our announcement as early as 3 p.m. We gave them advisory on pre-emptive evacuation because we know how fast the level of water will rise,” Baloran said.

He said the affected communities were those along Davao River and Bunawan River.

“Mga tributary nigikan sa ibabaw sa dapit sa atong kabukiran (The tributaries came from the upper portion of our mountains),” Baloran said.

He added that the Davao River traces its source in San Fernando Bukidnon and many streams connect upstream which flows a large volume of water unto the river until it converges downstream particularly in the Bankerohan and Bucana area. (RGA/PIA Davao)