FLASH UPDATE #2 – Flooding and Landslides in Mindanao, Philippines
Country under monitoring: Philippines
OVERVIEW: According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the Northeast Monsoon and the Trough of the Low Pressure Area have affected Mindanao. The trough of the Low Pressure Area (LPA) continued to bring light to heavy rains in Mindanao until 2 February 2024. This resulted in flooding and landslides in several areas over Mindanao in the Philippines. On 3 Feb, at 1000 HRS UTC+7, the Low Pressure Area had dissipated.
IMPACTS: According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) as of 0700 HRS UTC+7, 5 Feb:
- Related Incidents: 222 flooded areas (26 subsided, 15 receding), 42 rain-induced landslides
- Affected population:
- 214.1K families (812.6K persons) have been affected from 564 Barangays in the Regions X, XI, XII, CARAGA, and BARMM;
- 398.2K persons displaced and 85.3K of which are reportedly inside 331 evacuation centres;
- 16 persons dead, 11 persons injured (for validation), and 3 persons missing (for validation).
- Damages:
- 101 damaged houses (49 partially, 52 totally) have been reported in Regions XI and CARAGA;
- 206 road sections (104 of which are still not passable) and 16 bridge sections (15 of which are still not passable) have been affected;
- 26 damaged infrastructure (flood control, schools, bridges, and government facilities;
- The cost of damage to infrastructure amounting to 46.7K USD.
- Critical Lifelines:
- A total of 13 cities/municipalities experienced power outages, 8 of which have had power restored;
- A total of 2 cities/municipalities are still experiencing water supply interruption.
FORECAST: According to the weekly weather outlook from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), from 6-9 Feb, another trough of a low pressure area will cause scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms over Mindanao. As of reporting, the Agusan Riverbasin in currently under flood watch.
PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE:
- Following the advisories and early warning from PAGASA and NDRRMC, provincial government units conducted Pre-Disaster Risk Assessments (PDRA) in their respective areas of responsibility.
- A total of 31.2K persons from region XI and CARAGA were pre-emptively evacuated.
- 558K USD worth of assistance has been provided in the form of Family Food Pack and Food Items to the affected communities.
- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) prepositioned assets, organized Incident Management Team and Regional Emergency Brigade for possible deployment, conducted clearing operations, installed warning signs, provided alternate routes, and conducted continuous monitoring of roads and bridges in the affected regions.
- As of 5 February 2024, NDRRMC-OCD remains on ALERT Status BLUE (half of the members of the NDRRMC are on standby for any emergencies caused by this disaster.
- Local authorities continuously monitor hazardous areas and vulnerable barangays within their areas of responsibility.
- PAGASA continues to monitor and provide regular advisories and early warnings on the development of weather systems and their potential impacts.
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.
