Davao City flashflood kills 14

MANILA, Philippines – Fourteen people, majority of them children, have been confirmed killed after a rain-triggered flashflood hit Davao City, Tuesday night.

Reports said that at least 25,000 residents were affected and millions worth of properties were damaged after an overnight heavy downpour in the city, which caused the Matina Pangi River to overflow, triggering a massive flashflood that affected at least four barangays.

Authorities have yet to confirm the identities of the fatalities.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte this morning ordered the evacuation of residents as floodwaters rose to more than six feet.

The local officials also led rescue operations in the affected barangays of Matina Pangi, Bangkal, Talomo and Matina Aplaya.

Mayor Duterte has advised the residents and the rescuers to bring all the cadavers, seven of which belong to children, to Collado Funeral Parlor.

Classes in all preschool, elementary and high school levels have been suspended by the local Department of Education.

A small bridge connecting the southern part going to the downtown area were limited to light vehicles to pass. All heavy vehicles were ordered to take the diversion road.

The Department of Public Works and Highways in Davao region has deployed teams to the city to check other bridges and government infrastructure that may have been damaged by the flashfloods.

Meanwhile, Undersecretary Graciano Yumul of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said that field reports indicate that the volume of rain that hit the city last night measured 8 millimeter per hour.

Yumul said that based on forecasts from PAGASA, the city and other areas in Davao region may be hit by heavy rains in the next 24 hours, which may cause more floods and landslides.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has alerted its units in Davao region. – With PNA