DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Tropical depression Vicky made landfall yesterday in Baganga, Davao Oriental, bringing heavy rains and spawning floods that stranded thousands of commuters and submerged houses, forcing residents to evacuate to higher ground in many parts of Eastern Mindanao.
Floods were reported in Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte as well as other adjacent areas.
Continuous rains for over 12 hours also affected Davao City and the nearby province of Davao del Sur.
Bislig City in Surigao del Sur was flooded and rescuers assisted residents to evacuate their submerged houses.
Thousands of vehicles were also stranded on the main roads in Agusan del Sur and Davao de Oro, where local rivers overflowed.
Davao de Oro Gov. Tyroon Uy said police and military personnel helped in the search and rescue of affected residents.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council had deployed search and rescue teams to the affected towns.
Lisa Mazo, regional director of the Office of Civil Defense in Caraga, said the floods worsened when the Agusan and Wawa rivers overflowed and submerged parts of Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte and the towns of Esperanza, San Luis, Talacogon, La Paz, Sibagat and Loreto in Agusan del Sur and also Butuan City.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Vicky brought heavy rains and gusty winds over most parts of the country yesterday as it moved closer to eastern Mindanao.
As of 11 a.m., Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was hoisted over the northern and central portion of Palawan, including Calamian, Cuyo and Cagayancillo Islands in Luzon; southern portion of Leyte; Southern Leyte, central and southern portions of Cebu, including Camotes Islands; Bohol; Siquijor; Negros Oriental; Negros Occidental, Guimaras, central and southern portions of Iloilo and the southern portion of Antique.
Also placed under signal No. 1 were Dinagat Islands; Surigao del Norte; Surigao del Sur; Agusan del Norte; Agusan del Sur; Davao Oriental; Davao del Norte; Davao de Oro; Davao City, northern portion of Davao del Sur; Camiguin; Bukidnon; Misamis Oriental; Misamis Occidental; Lanao del Norte; Lanao del Sur; Maguindanao; Cotabato City; North Cotabato; Zamboanga del Sur; Zamboanga Sibugay and the northern portion of Zamboanga del Norte.
PAGASA warned the public, particularly in areas along the path of Vicky, against possible floods and landslides.
Vicky is the 22nd tropical cyclone to enter the country this year.
After crossing Eastern Mindanao, the tropical depression was expected to pass through the Bohol Sea this morning, moving close to Siquijor and making another landfall over the southern portion of Negros Island, the weather bureau said.
It was expected to be over the Sulu Sea this morning or afternoon.
Vicky was forecast to remain a tropical depression while crossing the Philippine archipelago, PAGASA said.
As of 10 a.m., the center of Vicky was spotted 140 kilometers east of Davao City, packing winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph.
It was projected to move northwest at 10 kph.
Vicky and the tail-end of a frontal system brought moderate to heavy to at times intense rains over Caraga, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Southern Leyte, Leyte and Bohol yesterday.
Light to moderate to at times heavy rains were experienced over the Bicol region, southern portion of Quezon, Lanao del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, and the rest of Visayas, Davao region and Northern Mindanao.
Today, moderate to heavy to at times intense rains will prevail over the Bicol region, Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Quezon and the northern portion of Palawan including Calamian and Cuyo Islands.
Light to moderate to at times heavy rains, meanwhile, are expected over mainland Cagayan Valley, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Camiguin, Dinagat Islands and the rest of Calabarzon, Mimaropa and the Visayas — Helen Flores, Ben Serrano