‘Vicky' makes landfall in Davao Oriental; public warned against flashfloods, landslides

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) cautioned the public against possible flashfloods and landslides as torrential rains were experienced in parts of Mindanao after Tropical Depression “Vicky” made landfall in Baganga, Davao Oriental, at 2 p.m. Friday.

- MARTIN A. SADONGDONG

PRE-EMPTIVE EVACUATION — Soldiers of the Army’s Third Special Forces Battalion (3rd SFBN) ask a family to evacuate as flood spawned by tropical depression Vicky started to rise Friday, December 18, in Barangay Payasan in Lianga, Surigao del Sur. (Photo courtesy of 3rd SFBN)

NDRRMC Executive Director Ricardo Jalad said at least two barangays in Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Sur were immediately flooded due to heavy rainfall. “Pre-emptive evacuations had been carried out in these areas,” he said.

Meanwhile, military and uniformed personnel joined rescue operations in Bislig City in Surigao del Sur, and in San Francisco town and Bayugan City in Agusan del Sur due to deep floods.

Office of Civil Defense (OCD) spokesman Mark Timbal said they also received some messages from affected residents who were asking to be rescued as flood reached their homes.

He said the requests sent through social media were already referred to local disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) offices for immediate coordination with the local government units (LGUs).

“The LGUs were reminded of adherence to the usual COVID-19 protection protocols for both responders and evacuees at all times,” Timbal noted.

Red rainfall warning