Davao del Norte declares state of calamity; floods affect over 58K families

Local authorities in Davao del Norte declared a state of calamity on Wednesday due to persistent rains and widespread flooding that forced over 6,000 families to evacuate.

The floods have affected more than 16,000 families initially but the number has now increased to over 58,000 as of Saturday.

In Tagum City, residents sought refuge at Laureta Elementary School in Barangay San Miguel as floodwaters rose and trapped some families in their homes, while motorists were stranded in Barangay Pagsabangan.

The Davao del Norte Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reported that the floods have caused damage to agriculture amounting to P39 million.

Flooding overflowed the creek in Carmen’s Purok 1 Guadalupe, impacting local livelihoods and movement, and ambulances transporting patients faced difficulties on flooded roads.