Extent of damage by floods to properties, infra and agriculture rises as rains continue to hit Caraga region

Flooding, spawned by moderate to heavy rains, continue to hit Northern Mindanao (Caraga region) as report of damage to properties, infrastructure and agriculture started to come in from various disaster councils in the region on Tuesday.

Assessment teams of the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) were already mobilized to look into the extent of damage caused by floodings since Saturday.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Northeastern Mindanao based here already started receiving damage reports from various disaster councils, particularly from Dinagat Island province.

OCD Director Dr. Blanche T. Gobenciong said that three towns in Dinagat Island -– Libjo, San Jose and Tubajon have initially reported damaged houses, fishing boats, pump boats and seawalls.

She also said Lake Mainit that covers some towns of Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte have already overflowed, destroying thousands of hectares of agricultural lands and properties.

Mostly affected is Barangay Colorado in Jabonga town, Agusan del Norte where classes in public schools were already suspended, she said.

Three barangays in Nasipit town, Agusan del Norte are already under flood waters, the OCD chief said.

Several barangays in this region’s capital city are also reported under flood waters.

City Mayor Democrito “Big Boy” Plaza already mobilized the City Disaster Coordinating Council (CDCC) to assist the flood victims as the giant Agusan river is already overflowing.

Surigao City Mayor Alfonso Casurra also said the city’s disaster council is already mobilized to assist the flood victims in Barangay San Juan and neighboring areas where some houses were destroyed by heavy rains and strong winds.

Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur disaster councils also reported floodings in several towns which have caused damages to thousands of hectares of agricultural lands and infrastructures.

The RDCC, led by Chief Supt. Jaime E. Milla, regional director of Northeastern Mindanao Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) conducted an emergency meeting at Camp Rafael C. Rodriguez here on Tuesday to assess the flood situation in some parts of the region.

“We cannot still determine yet the exact worth of damages as of this time as reports from affected areas are still coming in,” said Director Gobenciong.

However, the OCD official said that no casualty was reported as of press time.

Meanwhile, the OCD in Southern Mindanao also reported that at least 16 barangays in Cateel town, Davao oriental also experienced flooding since Saturday. (PNA)

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