ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Thirteen of the 50 villages in Dapitan City in Zamboanga del Norte province have been ravaged by floods wrought by 12 hours of non-stop rains.
The affected villages are Sulangon, Diwa-an, Tamion, Oyan, Burgos, Ilaya, Barcelona, Opao, Ba-ao, Pontungan, Dampalan, Masidlakon and Polo.
Polo is the least affected among the 13 submerged villages, City Councilor Apple Marie Agolong said.
She said the flood was spawned by “unusual rain last night (Wednesday) until around 10 a.m. Thursday.”
The flooding was worsened when rivers in nearby towns swelled and overflowed.
“The water level didn't recede, affected families fear that things will worsen because it will going to be high tide again at midnight,” she added.
Agolong said the roads are not passable anymore, citing in some areas, the water is neck-deep, while some areas are submerged in eight-foot high water.
“Only big trucks, speedboats and jet skis serve as modes of transportation to rescue victims and bring relief goods,” Agolong said.
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) said 55 families have sought shelter in an evacuation center in the city.
Flooding has affected 36 houses and damaged 120 others in one municipality, two cities, and 12 barangays in Zamboanga del Norte.
Agolong said they could yet determine whether there are casualties but said thousands of residents are affected with no food, water to drink and shelter. (Bong Garcia/Sunnex)
