FLASH UPDATE #1 – Effects of Shear Line in Caraga and Davao Provinces, Philippines
Country under monitoring: Philippines
OVERVIEW: According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reports dated 17-18 Jan 2024, Caraga and Davao Regions in Eastern Mindanao have been experiencing rains and thunderstorms since 16 January due to the shear line. These have caused flooding and landslides in several provinces in these regions. These flooding situations reportedly persist up to this reporting period.
FORECAST: According to the latest forecast from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the shear line continues to affect the eastern sections of Visayas and Mindanao. Caraga and Davao regions are forecast to experience cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms which may cause possible flash floods or landslide due to moderate to at times heavy rains.
HAZARDS: Heavy rainfall warning is currently in effect in Agusan Del Sur and Surigao del Sur provinces in Caraga, as well as in Davao Oriental and Davao de Oro provinces in Davao Region. The OCD has released advisories and warnings on potential flooding and landslides in these areas. As of 19 Jan 1100 HRS, Agusan and Davao Riverbasins are under flood watch.
IMPACTS: As of 19 Jan 1600 HRS UTC + 7, reports from NDRRMC recorded the following impacts in Caraga and Davao Regions:
- A total of 218K affected persons or about 71K families affected
- 37K internally displaced persons; 77 active evacuation centers
- 85 areas still flooded
- 13 related landslides recorded
- 28 roads affected, 11 of which are not yet passable
PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE:
- PAGASA monitored and provided regular advisories and early warnings on the development of weather systems and their potential impacts.
- Following PAGASA’s forecast and advisories, relevant authorities mobilized preparedness measures and released advisories in the concerned localities.
- The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Region XIII (Caraga) raised its status to BLUE Alert on 16 Jan. OCD Davao Region has also raised the RDRRMC EOC to Blue Alert effective 18 Jan. This was to intensify close monitoring of the respective regions and to ensure immediate mobilization of resources from the regional level, particularly those areas affected by the weather system.
- In Davao Region, municipal/city DRRM EOCs in the affected areas were raised to Blue Alert Status.
- PAGASA continues to monitor the weather situation and provides reports and early warnings.
- NDRRMC-OCD continues to release advisories while monitoring the situation and mobilising response in the affected areas and localities.
- Relevant agencies and authorities continues to respond to the impacts and provide support to the affected and displaced communities.
- A total of PHP 6.5M (USD 115.8K) worth of assistance has been provided to affected communities.
The AHA Centre will continue to closely monitor for further developments and issue necessary updates.
DATA SOURCES
ASEAN Disaster Monitoring & Response System (DMRS), ASEAN Disaster Information Network (ADINet); Pacific Disaster Center (PDC Global); ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC);
Philippines: NDRRMC, PAGASA;
Verified news media agencies.
