Caraga residents evacuate as LPA triggers floods

MANILA, Philippines - Heavy rains and floods caused by a low pressure area have triggered the evacuation of thousands of residents and the suspension of classes in the Caraga region. 

The regional civil defense office could not provide the exact number of evacuees as of yesterday afternoon, but estimated that it would not reach hundreds of thousands. 

“The evacuation has started but some residents stayed with their relatives,” said Blanche Gobenciong, Caraga director of the Office of Civil Defense. 

Gobenciong said the evacuation was conducted yesterday morning in at least six barangays in Butuan City. She said the floods rendered some barangay roads impassable, adding that the water level of Agusan River also rose due to continuous rains, affecting three barangays in San Luis, Agusan del Sur. 

Gobenciong said classes were suspended in Surigao City, Dinagat Islands, Butuan City, Tandag City, and Las Nieves and Magallanes towns in Agusan del Sur.