Heavy rains, not waterspout, hit Danao

CEBU, Philippines - Heavy rains and strong winds, not a waterspout, hit Danao City Monday afternoon brought about by tropical depression “Insang”, police said yesterday.

Insp. Romeo Caacoy, Danao City Deputy Police Chief said they inspected the area and found out that three barangays were affected, namely Sandayong Sur, Tuburan Sur and Ilaya.

The rains also caused a river in Tuburan Sur to swell.

“Nisulod ang tubig sa mga kabalayan tungod sa kakusog sa uwan,” Caacoy said in a phone interview.

Neil Sanchez, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), said that in Barangay Tuburan Sur, flood water reached chest level that prompted local disaster risk reduction units to evacuate residents to safer areas.

But as of yesterday, flood water already subsided and the residents have returned to their respective houses.

Fortunately, there was no casualty and no serious damage caused by the strong winds and heavy rains except for one house that was partially destroyed in Barangay Sandayong Sur.

The police continue to monitor the river as well as flood prone areas and a rescue team is on standby in case there is a need for immediate evacuation of residents.

The Danao City Fire Station and the Department of Social Welfare and Development are also prepared to respond to any untoward incident.

The (PDRRMC) has also been strictly monitoring the flood water level Danao City and Consolacion.

Meanwhile, Sanchez said his office has an allocation of P108 million which can be used for disaster preparedness activities.

The PDRRMC has also acquired a new office space and is awaiting the approval for the purchase of additional equipment like computers and life-saving gears.

Gov. Hilario Davide III  mentioned in his inaugural speech the need to intensify the disaster and risk reduction efforts of the Provincial Government.—(FREEMAN)