Heavy rains force evacuation, rescue of students in Davao City

August 29, 2019

DAVAO CITY – Almost 2,000 residents in the western suburbs had to be evacuated and school children have to be rescued as heavy rains late Wednesday flooded low-lying areas up to the coastal areas.


The Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reported 1,926 residents from the 11 flooded barangays, running from the upland Calinan district down to Tugbok district and to the coastal areas of Talomo District.


No deaths were reported. Flood waters subsided by dawn.


It began raining  past 4 pm, sending flood waters inundating riverside villages in the northern uplands. Authorities were rescuing by 6:03 pm stranded students of Wangan Technical School and Balengaeng Los Amigos Elementary School in Tugbok.


Units of the Urban Search and Rescue unit of the Emergency Response Center 911 reported that the situation at the Balengaeng Elementary School improved allowing parents to fetch many of the 300 students.


Rescuers were trying to reach the interior Subasta Elementary School.


 Rodrigo Bustillo, DCDRRMO chief, said disaster and rescue personnel  sounded the alarm for evacuation to residents in the Matina Aplaya, Matina Pangi, Bangkal and Talomo villages.


Sirens were heard throughout the night and the Davao Light and Power Co. cut off electricity to prevent electrocution.


Although the DCDRRMO reported pre-emptive evacuation done along the Ulas River, destruction of houses was seen as residents sought temporary refuge in the bridge.


Residents in Taal 1 and Taal 2, Sunny Village, Teachers Village and Morio- Morio Village were evacuated to Ulas Barangay Hall and Taal Gym. DMS