1 missing, 1,089 evacuated in Surigao Norte floods

BUTUAN CITY — At least one person was reported missing while around 1,089 persons or 225 families were evacuated after continued rains brought by the northeast monsoon caused flash floods in Surigao del Norte province. The Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga Regional Office identified the missing person as Amado Basadre, a married resident of Barangay Honrado, San Francisco town, and between 34 to 40 years old. Reports said Basadre was attempting to cross a river in Barangay Honrado when he was carried away by the strong current due to continuous rains. The Surigao City Quick Action Response Team said that a total of 54 families or 234 persons have been evacuated in Surigao City. On the other hand, the Dinagat Islands Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) has advised residents living near the mountain slopes and in low-lying areas to be alert for possible floods and landslides. Dinagat Island’s Provincial Social Welfare Office (PSWO), for its part, said that it has provided relief assistance to affected families. In nearby Agusan del Sur province, the PDRRMC has activated search and rescue teams to be ready for deployment to areas needing assistance, while the PSWO remained on standby for emergency calls for assistance. Last Wednesday, government-owned radio station dxDA reported that a landslide had also occurred in Barangay Laurel, Tagana-an, Surigao del Norte at around 6:00 p.m. It said that clearing operations are being conducted by the Municipal Engineering Office.—Ben Serrano/KT/JV, GMANews.TV