BUTUAN CITY – All Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Offices (DRRMOs) in the Caraga region have been mobilized amid threats of floods spawned by a shear line since Monday.
This developed as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that the region will continue to experience rainshowers and localized thunderstorms.
A shear line occurs when the cold northeasterly winds and warm easterlies converge, PAGASA said.
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) stations in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur also issued orders for the temporary suspension of sea travels for vessels and watercraft with 150 tonnages below due to rough sea conditions.
Surigao del Sur, Gov. Alexander Pimentel directed all mayors in the province to declare at their discretion the suspension of classes due to the continuing heavy rains.
“All mayors are also urged to make the necessary preparations to respond to any eventualities due to the prevailing weather conditions affecting the province,” Pimentel said.
In San Miguel town, the local DRRMO alerted residents to prepare for evacuations as two gates of an irrigation dam in Barangay Sagbayan were opened since Monday due to critical water level conditions.
A no-sail policy was issued in Tandag City and other towns to ensure the safety of fisherfolk and fishing communities.
In Agusan del Sur, the municipal DRRMOs are closely monitoring the rising water levels of major river systems and irrigation dams.
In Prosperidad town, the Gibong irrigation system also opened its sluice gate due to the increasing water levels.
In Sta. Josefa municipality, the local government advised village DRRMOs to prepare for preemptive evacuations as water level at the Sta. Isabel Bridge reached the critical level of 5.6 meters.
Reports of flooded areas were also reported in the towns of Trento, San Francisco, and Bunawan.
Local government units in the province issued temporary suspension of classes in all levels of public and private schools.
Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways-Caraga (DPWH-13) said maintenance was being conducted in a portion of the Bislig-Trento National Highway, particularly in Barangay Pagbatakan, Lingig, Surigao del Sur, after a landslide.
Only one lane of the highway is passable as of posting time.